The negotiations with the Dutch did not yield any results. Just after returning to Quanzhou, they received news that Liu Ruyi had accepted his son Zheng Sen as his disciple.
In the past, Zheng Zhilong would definitely have wanted his son to get close to Liu Ruyi, but at this juncture...
On the official road, more than a hundred horses galloped rapidly, heading north. The leader was none other than the haggard-looking Zheng Zhilong.
Originally, he planned to go to Songjiang Mansion to visit Liu Ruyi later, but at this moment, his mind was already confused and he couldn't wait to find out Liu Ruyi's attitude.
After running wildly with almost no stops, Zheng Zhilong finally arrived outside Liu Ruyi's tent after three days.
However, just as Zheng Zhilong reported his name to the soldiers, he was told that the Duke of Guo was invited by celebrities in Suzhou to enjoy the flowers in the Humble Administrator's Garden and was not in the camp at this time.
But luckily, he finally met his son.
In a tent deep in the camp, Zheng Zhilong looked at his familiar son quite speechlessly. However, at this moment, he suddenly felt that the son he was most familiar with was a little strange.
At this time, Zheng Chenggong had already put on the bright red guerrilla official robe. Although he was young, he was very heroic.
"My child has met his father!" Zheng Chenggong saluted Zheng Zhilong respectfully.
"Sen'er, you, what are you..." Zheng Zhilong pointed at his son Yingting's face and was speechless for a moment.
Zheng Chenggong was a little excited, "Father, the Duke of Qi has promoted his son to the Caishi Army and Navy Guerrilla, and he will take office soon! How about it? This official robe looks majestic, right?"
"..." Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but fell into deep silence.
He really didn't expect that Liu Ruyi was really willing to spend money on the Zheng family.
Sen'er is not yet eighteen years old, but she is already in the guerrilla position. This...
"Father, what's wrong with you? Why don't you speak?" Zheng Chenggong looked into his father's eyes with some confusion.
"Hey~~!" Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but let out a deep sigh and said a little tiredly: "Sen'er, I haven't seen you for a few days. How did this matter become like this?"
Zheng Chenggong's expression became serious, "Father, are you worried about Duke Qi's plan against my Zheng family this time?"
Zheng Zhilong looked at his son in front of him in surprise, "Sen'er! Did you know that although flowers are beautiful, there are often thorns on their backs that prick people's hands! You, you... ugh! As a father, I really don't know what to say.
!”
But Zheng Chenggong smiled and said, "Father, you are worrying too much! If you want to get it, you must give it! Wealth and honor can only be obtained in danger! Although my Zheng family has a great business, compared with the Duke of Qi, we are just a frog in the well.
Mayfly! It is the child's good fortune that the Duke of Qi appreciates the child! Moreover, the child feels that this opportunity is a great blessing from God to our Zheng family!"
"You, you..." Zheng Zhilong didn't expect his son to be so 'poisoned'. For a moment, he really didn't know what to say.
Zheng Chenggong, however, told his father in detail Liu Ruyi's plan to establish a naval base in Songjiang Prefecture.
"Father, Qi Guogong has made it very clear! He will not personally participate too much in the navy's war against the Dutch. All decision-making and command rights are in the hands of our naval generals! Moreover, Qi Guogong also has sufficient experience in this battle.
He gave us five years to prepare ourselves mentally! Father, Duke Qi is so benevolent and righteous, what else can you not let go of? Looking at the world at this time, who else can be the opponent of Duke Qi? This
It’s God who gave us the opportunity to the Zheng family!”
Zheng Zhilong suddenly felt that his familiar son was a stranger. He had never thought about this. However, after the Dutch had been strong for a hundred years, could their navy be defeated so easily?
When the time comes, if 'stealing the chicken fails but loses the rice', it will be him, Zheng Zhilong, who is unlucky!
But now that he has reached this point, he must never say these words!
As his son said, this is an opportunity, but at the same time, it is also a double-edged sword. If used well, the Zheng family will rise to great heights and leap into the ranks of the Ming Dynasty's wealthy families. If not used well...
"Forget it! Sen'er, you've grown up! It's time for you to get more involved in the affairs of the Zheng family! As your father is old, you can wait here for Duke Qi to receive you!"
~~~~~
Three days later, news finally came that Liu Ruyi had returned to the camp. Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but feel anxious and hurriedly went to Liu Ruyi's tent in person to ask for an audience.
This time, Liu Ruyi did not let him get shut out again, and cordially led Zheng Zhilong to the big tent.
In fact, in the past few days, Liu Ruyi had not left the camp at all. Instead, he carefully calculated in the camp the gains and losses of the expedition, as well as the pension and comfort work for the soldiers.
Taizu said, ‘Political power comes from the barrel of a gun’!
Things like the army must be firmly in your hands at all times!
Although with Liu Ruyi's prestige at this time, it is impossible for there to be any major changes in the Caishi Army, Liu Ruyi is still as close to the soldiers as he was at the beginning, improving his work and making the lives of the soldiers more secure.
Let the entire colored stone army be more cohesive!
Zheng Zhilong was left out for a few days, and his mood gradually calmed down. When he saw Liu Ruyi again, he had long lost his original vigor!
"Zheng Zhilong has met the Duke!" In the big tent, Zheng Zhilong bowed respectfully to Liu Ruyi.
Although Zheng Zhilong has long been named the Chief Soldier of Fujian and can be regarded as a legitimate hero, in front of Liu Ruyi, his qualifications are probably ten times lower.
After all, from the ninth year of Chongzhen, Liu Ruyi and the Caishi Army participated in almost every important battle inside and outside the Ming Dynasty, and exerted immeasurable energy.
Even the oldest time-honored military commander in the Ming Dynasty, such as Yang Guozhu, the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu Town, still has to be brothers with Liu Ruyi, let alone Zheng Zhilong, who lives in a corner of the country?
"I've heard about the name of the great master for a long time! Haha! To see you today is a long-cherished wish of Ruyi's life!" Liu Ruyi smiled and cupped her hands at Zheng Zhilong, and affectionately let him sit down on the soft couch aside.
It was the first time that the two parties met, but they had already admired each other's name for a long time, so they inevitably had to test it out a little.
However, although Zheng Zhilong is a veteran, he can't get any benefit from Liu Ruyi.
After the greetings, Liu Ruyi took the lead in bringing up the topic, "Master, in this Dutch rebellion, our Caishi Army still needs your full support! Master is also a hero of our Han family, I believe that you are
A person who understands the general principles and understands the great principles!"
Zheng Zhilong couldn't help but curse secretly in his heart!
'You fucking come up and give me a big hat first. If I don't agree, then I don't know the general principles and understand the righteousness. What's more, Sen'er has been brainwashed by you, do I still have any choice?
'
Although he was unhappy in his heart, Zheng Zhilong did not dare to show it in front of him. He raised his hands and said with a smile: "The Duke of Guo is so proud of me! It is a blessing for my Zheng family to serve for the Duke of Guo and the Colored Stone Army.
However, Mr. Guo, I have not been dealing with those Dutch ghosts for a day or two! They are not easy to deal with! If this battle is really going to start, Mr. Guo must be mentally prepared!"
Liu Ruyi smiled and said, "If this were not the case, Ruyi would not dare to disturb the great master! Although the Dutch are strong, this is my Chinese land after all! With the great master supporting me behind my back, I feel confident!"
"
"..." Zheng Zhilong smiled awkwardly, but he could only accept Liu Ruyi's words.
~~~~~~
In the evening, a grand banquet was held in the camp. Everyone, both officers and soldiers, participated in celebrating the alliance between the Colored Stone Army and the Zheng family.
Faced with the massive crowd attack from the generals of the Caishi Army, Zheng Zhilong drank Mingzhu to the point of drunkenness, and Zheng Chenggong also tried his best. The meal was a feast for both the host and the guest.
However, on the second day, Anton Wei's naval outpost arrived at Songjiang Mansion under the leadership of Liu Hanyi. He would discuss specific naval matters with the Zheng family.
Liu Ruyi, on the other hand, gathered the army and embarked on the return journey.
Because Liu Ruyi has received the news that the Manchu and Qing Dynasties bypassed Shanhaiguan, broke through Xifengkou, and entered the customs again!
At this level, the Dutch can only be regarded as having a mustard ringworm, which is not something to worry about, but the Manchus are like tigers and wolves. If the Ming Dynasty is not careful, they may be swallowed by him.
And because of Hai Lanzhu, Liu Ruyi knew it well, and Huang Taiji was probably holding a breath of bad breath in his heart after what he said!
The army went all the way north and just crossed the Yellow River and arrived at Jining Prefecture. The imperial decree had already been passed down.
Liu Ruyi was canonized as a first-class duke, with a land of Caishi Town, a settlement of 5,000 households, and ~, Liu Ruyi was appointed as Shangzhu Kingdom, a hussar general, and he immediately led his troops to the capital, King Qin.
As soon as this news came out, the entire army was in an uproar!
The soldiers knelt down one after another and shouted "General". The flames of excitement were about to burn the world.
Liu Ruyi was also a little stunned by the court's generosity.
You must know that in the Ming Dynasty, there was only one person who could be called a general, and that was Xu Da, the brother of Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang and the number one hardcore thug!
Since then, for nearly three hundred years, there has been no one!
At this time, Emperor Chongzhen actually put down such a big bargaining chip, which actually made Liu Ruyi a little emotional!
However, the huge positions are reserved for people!
Since Emperor Chongzhen dared to give it, Liu Ruyi naturally dared to accept it!
This time when the Qing army entered the country, Huang Taiji was almost the best in the country. It seemed that he was going to truly compete with the Ming Dynasty!
After all, with the rise of the Colored Stone Army, the nine important towns of the Ming Dynasty have also begun to organize and train new armies. Even Wu Sangui has been ready to move recently.
The situation has changed, and the "mounted archery" that the Manchus were proud of is about to disappear into the torrent of history.
At this moment, even Huang Taiji couldn't sit still!
What's more, there is Hai Lanzhu in front of him?
At this time, Liu Ruyi's heart also aroused great pride. After several years of hard work, every day was like walking on thin ice. After accumulating for so long, it was time to win or lose!
The winner is a prince, the loser is a bandit!
The country is like a painting, and the beauty is like jade. Whoever wants to own it must see whether the steel knife in his hand is sharp enough!