As early as a few days ago, Jin Shiqi heard that Ding Laoxi might be in Jinghai.

On the day Zheng Zhilong attacked, a large number of people from all over Guangdong and Fujian who were "banqueted" by Ding Yao were blocked in the city. Fortunately, the Guangxi army fought a bloody road and led them over the city wall, and then carried out executions on these people.

They all held qualified customs and defense documents, and some had official or military status. But the guys from the Military Intelligence Department had a very sharp eye, and they soon discovered two unusual guys.

One was Yang Tiansheng, who was handcuffed on the spot; the other was an old man with a low eyebrow. Ding Yao identified him as an old slave in his house, but the commander of the elephant training camp, Long Aohai, secretly reported: This is

His identity was unusual. During the emergency breakout, it was Miss Ding who personally held up the old man's wall.

The Ding family members and the Military Intelligence Department did not dare to act rashly. They first released the old man, and then sent people to rush to Guangzhou and handed over the old man's portrait to the insider who had been placed in the Ding family for identification. A few days later, the news came back.

Jinghai: That old man is Ding Laoxi.

At this moment, the news that "Ding Laoxi is secretly meeting Ding Yao" came, and the atmosphere around Jin Shiqi suddenly became depressed. His face was livid, his brows were frowned, his eyes were closed tightly, and he looked like he was suffering from internal injuries.

Zha Yingcai and others were also very anxious, but they didn't know how to speak. After a while, Jin Shiqi climbed up the ladder without saying a word, walked onto the deck of the Ningyuan, and dragged his tired legs to the bow.

He stared silently at the vast Jinghai Harbor.

The big ship "Bazi" is anchored not far to the east.

It was already dark now, and the Jinghai Harbor was filled with a mighty fleet - warships of the Guangxi Army, captured Fujian pirate ships, and sailing ships of the Macau allies. The largest number was Ding Laoxi's fleet. In the dark blue

Under the sky, they float quietly in the waves, sleeping in the sound of the surging water. Those thick hulls are like a huge rock. The lights on the side of the ship are shining like stars. Thousands of black stars

The mast is like charcoal marks on the blue canvas.

Such a magnificent and mighty scene.

How honorable and exciting it is to be the general of this fleet!

Jin Shiqi stood in the evening breeze, staring sternly at the big ship in the distance, with thousands of thoughts in his mind like cloud waves. He was thinking about the conspiracy between Ding Laoxi and the Dutch, and thinking about Ding Laoxi's previous layout.

Thinking about Ding Laoxi's "benevolence" to him. Thinking about Ding Laoxi's purpose of sneaking into Jinghai... When did the old man come to Jinghai? Did he arrive not long ago? The Military Intelligence Department has been closely monitoring him these days.

Is it possible that Xiaoyao doesn't know what's going on around her? Could it be that... he lurked on the Bazi more than half a month ago and came with me?

If that's the case, then Xiaoyao's statement that she "turned against Ding Laoxi, seized the ship, and went to Brother Jin" is false again?... Damn it, why is there the word "again" here?

Thinking of this, Jin Shiqi couldn't help but feel a pain in his heart. He firmly believed that Xiaoyao's feelings for him were absolutely true, but this girl's allegiance was still to Ding Laoxi.

Ding Laoxi is Xiaoyao's only relative. She has been her only support in the past ten years. This is human nature. What's more, the Ding family is by no means an ordinary family, and she and Ding Laoxi are not just a simple ancestor-grandson relationship.

, there is an additional layer of loyalty of "subordinate to master". The "long-distance relationship" between Jin Shiqi and her this year is not enough to shake her.

But time is running out.

Ding Laoxi has appeared, and he will use various overt and covert means to snatch the fruits of victory from Jin Shiqi. Jin Shiqi has no time to win over Xiaoyao as a chess piece by "enhancing feelings". Jin Shiqi sighed sadly,

He held the railing of the ship's side tightly with both hands, making a "quacking" friction sound under the force.

"Xijie, relax." Someone said softly, "You have broken the railings."

Jin Shiqi turned around. At some point, Zha Yingcai and Yao Mengyang had already walked up behind him. They had already known what Ding Laoxi had done and the serious conflict between them, and there was no need to explain anything. So this

The three living and dead brothers stood blankly on the deck, looking at the sea view and listening to the sea breeze, staring with big eyes and small eyes, no one said a word.

After a long while, Zha Ying smiled lightly and said: "I didn't expect Mr. Ding to be in Jinghai. After all, he is a member of his family, and he will never want to harm us."

Jin Shiqi nodded, "Brother Cha is talking about it. The Zheng thief retreated, leaving the Fujian and Guangdong territories. Anyone will have a piece of the pie, not to mention that the old man had ambitions. So he used some tricks and some secret tricks.

It's not surprising. I'm not afraid of him. We have strong troops and generals, new military exploits, and the support of the court and adults behind us, so the old man is not stupid enough to jump out and cause trouble at this time."

Jin Shiqi pointed to dozens of large merchant ships in the harbor in front, all of which were hung with eye-catching Ding family flags. "For him, the best choice is to partner with us. What he wants is not the 'number one maritime merchant'

As for the name, it means monopolizing the Japan-Luzon route, so I agree to it! I even helped him earn ten times more money, and expanded the route a hundred times further than he thought."

Before Zha Yingcai said anything, Yao Mengyang laughed loudly and grabbed Jin Shiqi's sleeve, whispering: "Brother, that's good! But that's not the Ding family's fleet you're talking about, but your Jin family's fleet."

.”

"So what? He has no choice." Jin Shiqi sneered, "I am already very filial to Mr. Ding. If it were Xu Xinsu, Li Guozhu and others, they would not even have this chance."

"But Ding Gongwei will never accept your love." Yao Mengyang said immediately, "He is a powerful man of his generation. He has seen a lot of dangers and tyranny, so how can he be willing to be behind you? Brother, you said he is in Jing.

The sea doesn't dare to embarrass us, but what happens after we get to Taiwan?"

Yao Mengyang looked around and saw that all the guard subordinates were standing far away on the deck, but he still lowered his voice: "My little brother said nonsense, brother, don't be angry... If the old gentleman continues to hide on the ship and follow the army to Taiwan

, and then contacted the local thieves in Taiwan, including Dutch red-haired thieves, Japanese red thieves, and Zheng Zhilong's remnants. They even colluded with Zheng Zhilong himself to set up traps and bite us. What should we do? This march is inherently dangerous, and we have

This is an expedition across the sea, and even if Grandpa Yue is resurrected, he would not dare to say that he will win. So this old man Ding... is a huge hidden danger!"

Jin Shiqi's heart suddenly sank. He shook his head, "No way, if the old man does that... it will be a dead end. It's even more dangerous for him. He's not going to do that!"

"Brother." Yao Mengyang suddenly raised his voice, "You have to recognize the old man's character. After all, he is... a man who makes a living at sea!"

Jin Shiqi frowned. He understood Yao Mengyang's subtext. Maritime merchants in this era were almost pirates, and Yao Mengyang did not say the word "thief" just because of his feelings.

Yao Mengyang glanced at Zha Yingcai next to him, and then said: "Brother, you are leading all our elite soldiers and all our generals. All our brothers' wealth and lives are at stake, so there is no room for mistakes! What if that happens?

The old gentleman made friends with thieves and backhandedly harmed us..."

"That's enough!" Jin Shiqi scolded. His face had turned ugly. "At least so far, Ding Laoxi has been kind to us. We just need to take more precautions, but we won't treat him as an enemy.

"

Yao Mengyang sighed, lowered his head and took a step back. The air suddenly became silent. Only the sound of waves was heard all around. The guards and sailors on the far side of the deck looked here and turned their heads.

After a long while, Cha Yingcai suddenly said: "Otherwise, we won't go to Taiwan."

"What?"

"A gentleman wouldn't build a dangerous wall." Zha Yingcai said, "What's more, the Holy One ordered us to inspect eastern Guangdong and Penghu, so Taiwan is not a necessary place."

"That can't be done." Jin Shiqi said hurriedly, "We went to Taiwan not only to fulfill the imperial edict... We have collected all the money from Luzon, and we have also signed the treaty in Macau. If we don't go to Taiwan to suppress the red hair, we will

The whole plan fell through."

"What if we lose?" Zha Yingcai's expression immediately became serious. "We have been sending troops for several months. In two consecutive battles in Macao and Jinghai, most of the military resources were lost, and each battalion and team suffered more than 30% casualties. If it were others,

We have withdrawn our troops a long time ago. Xijie, although we look good on the surface, we have to know the real situation."

Jin Shiqi immediately shook his head and said: "The Taiwanese Red Hairs are just a group of remnants of the enemy. Several hundred people are trapped in a lonely fort. We will definitely be defeated in one blow after we land."

Zha Yingcai gave a noncommittal "hmm" and then looked at Yao Mengyang. Jin Shiqi suddenly had a feeling: these two people came prepared. They must have exchanged lines before. Taiwan is dangerous, the army is lacking, and so on.

It was an excuse. The only one they were worried about was Ding Laoxi. Sure enough, as soon as Zha Ying finished speaking, Fatty Yao immediately took over the conversation and advised Jin Shiqi to take measures to "keep" Ding Laoxi in Jinghai. If he could "send"

It would be better to go to Guangzhou.

"It doesn't have to be so complicated." Jin Shiqi waved his hand, "I will go see him in person in a few days and have a showdown with him."

"Okay!" Yao Mengyang shouted immediately. He glanced at Zha Yingcai and asked, "But if Ding Laoxi doesn't listen, what will you do?"

Seeing that Jin Shiqi looked a little stunned, Yao Mengyang took another breath and said solemnly: "I dare to advise you, brother, you should make up your own mind. If the old gentleman forces us to have no way out, do you dare to be cruel?"

hand?"

"Ruthless? Stop talking nonsense!" Jin Shiqi scolded.

"Where am I talking nonsense?" Yao Mengyang blushed, "Brother, let me ask you. If he was not Miss Ding's grandfather, what would you do to him?"

"But he is!" Jin Shiqi yelled immediately, and then sighed, "At least until now, the old man is more kind to us. Without him, we would not have won the victory over the past year. Since we still have each other,

Even if I don't fall out, I won't prepare for the worst... I don't even want to think about it!"

…

Dusk is sinking, and the sky in Jinghai has turned dark blue.

Jin Shiqi got off the ship, got on his horse, and walked slowly along the path outside the city. His dozens of guards and flag soldiers did not ask where the general was going, but followed him vigorously carrying the general's flag.

back.

Jin Shiqi lowered his head, still thinking about Yao Mengyang's words over and over in his head. He sighed: "If Ding Laoxi wasn't Xiaoyao's grandfather, then everything would be much simpler."

He also knew that Zha Yingcai and Yao Mengyang were under great pressure. They must have hesitated and pondered for a long time before they made up their mind to say these words to him. He also knew that these people were no longer the same people as those on the Juehua battlefield.

They are young and weak. In the past two years, they have experienced several battlefield killings, their temperament has become more decisive, and their blood-smell has become much stronger. When faced with conflicts, they are more likely to use violence to resolve conflicts.

But Jin Shiqi couldn't do this, at least he couldn't be cruel to Ding Laoxi.

Jin Shiqi wanted to go back to the camp to sleep, but his mind was in a mess all the time, so he just walked along the path, and the soldiers followed him silently. So this small Chinese army team was led by Jin Shiqi.

The pony named "Zhengqi" is in control.

"Zhengqi" walked happily for a while. Suddenly it saw a familiar road and ran over it.

After an unknown amount of time, "Zhengqi" stopped in front of a house. Jin Shiqi suddenly raised his head and found that he was in front of Xiaoyao's door. "Ah, Zhengqi, how did you get here."

It snorted loudly. It remembered that the master had been coming here every night in the past few days, and each time he had to stay for a long time, and the grass in this yard was particularly sweet.

Jin Shiqi sighed and was about to turn around and leave when the door of the house suddenly opened and a charming woman leaned out, it was sister Yan Ning. "General?" She looked a little surprised, and then smiled.

, "I came late today, it's almost dark."

Jin Shiqi asked calmly: "Has the lady fallen asleep?"

Yan Ning didn't speak, just looked at him with a smile, as if thinking about how to answer. After a while, she said: "Miss went to the boat... It is said that the wind and waves are strong tonight and it is not convenient to ferry, so she will live on the boat." She was embarrassed.

He lowered his head shyly, pursed his lips and smiled, then raised his head again with infinite tenderness on his face, "Then, are you still coming in?"
Chapter completed!