When Zheng Sen returned to Fuzhou, the imperial edict from the imperial court had also arrived. All the people in the Zheng family's influence, including Zheng Zhilong, were in panic and immediately started to quarrel.
Although Zheng Zhilong's former subordinates did not say so, most of them were unwilling to disobey the court and hoped that Zheng Zhilong could hand over Zheng Zhihu so as not to implicate other people.
Zheng Zhihu naturally encouraged everyone to rebel, but unfortunately there were very few people who supported him. Even his third brother Zheng Zhibao chose to remain silent.
Obviously, in the face of glory and wealth, any kind of family affection, any kind of brotherhood, any kind of loyalty in the world are bullshit.
This is a typical example of how easy it is to go from frugality to luxury, but how difficult it is to go from luxury to frugality. Nowadays, these pirates have long been accustomed to the life of spoiled wives and beautiful concubines, and want them to wander on the sea and live the same kind of swordsmanship as before.
It's really hard to live with your head bleeding.
Zheng Zhilong also didn't want to live the same life anymore. If he just handed over his second brother and his family, he wouldn't hesitate at all, but the court wanted to dismiss him and investigate, so he was a little reluctant.
Apart from anything else, just the fact that the imperial court dismissed him from his official position was a bit unbearable. Now that the Zheng family has a great business, how can it be preserved without his official position?
But the imperial edict has been issued, and basically there is no room for reversal. If you don't comply, you will be disobeying the edict. You don't need to think about it, and you will know that the worst outcome will be the confiscation of your family and the extermination of your clan.
If in the past, the worst thing was to fight the imperial court and lose the enemy in the end, they could retreat to Dongfan Island. But now, not only the people's hearts have been dispersed, but Dongfan Island has also been completely occupied by the Dutch, and the escape route has been blocked.
At this time, Zheng Zhilong finally regretted giving up Dongfan Island.
Just when Zheng Zhilong was hesitant and didn't know what to do, Zheng Sen happened to return to Zheng's house.
"Sen'er, you have finally escaped. Now my father is really worried that you won't be able to escape and will be trapped in Nanjing."
"Eldest nephew, you came back just in time. This stupid court is going to kill my Zheng family. If you say we won't fight back, what else can we do?"
Zheng Zhilong was very happy that his son could escape back. Zheng Zhihu was also a little surprised. He hoped that his eldest nephew could give him some advice.
As for other people, they don't care much about it. Obviously, Zheng Sen, the eldest son of the Zheng family, became a traitor after his mentor Qian Qianyi, and his influence in the Zheng Group is not what it used to be. In addition, his mother
It's a Japanese woman again, and many former pirate leaders didn't take her seriously.
"Father, the child did not escape from Nanjing, but came back under the orders of the Queen Mother."
Zheng Sen did not hide it, but said it directly.
"What? Sen'er, you said you came back on the orders of the Queen Mother?"
"Eldest nephew, have you met the Queen Mother?"
Zheng Zhilong looked surprised, and others quickly gathered around.
"Yes, father, uncles. After the boy received the letter from his father, he immediately went to the palace to meet the Queen Mother. After the boy's explanation, the Queen Mother showed mercy outside the court and did not directly label my Zheng family and all uncles as rebels, but
I am only pursuing the second uncle, and allowing me, the Zheng family, to take the blame and make meritorious service..."
Zheng Sen explained it more emphatically.
After hearing this, all of Zheng Zhilong's subordinates breathed a heavy sigh of relief, but Zheng Zhihu's face turned as black as coal.
Zheng Zhilong, with a gloomy expression on his face, asked, "Did the Queen Mother tell you how to deal with being a father?"
"Father, originally the Queen Mother wanted to pursue her father's crime of covering up and neglecting his duty. The child repeatedly begged for mercy and promised that the Zheng family would do their best to regain Dongfan Island for the court and make meritorious service. Only then did the Queen Mother agree to let her father and third uncle go to Nanjing to rest in their old age.
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Zheng Sen said without blushing and out of breath. After speaking, he was afraid that everyone would not believe it, so he took out the secret decree given by Zhang Yan and showed it to everyone.
Everyone here is not a fool, and they immediately understood that Zheng Sen wanted to kill his relatives for justice and came back to seize power.
Not only did he want to capture his second uncle and take him to Nanjing, he also wanted to send his father and third uncle to Nanjing to enjoy their lives.
"You're such a traitor, but you're really good at making calculations."
"Bastard thing..."
The three brothers of the Zheng family were all blue with anger, and Zheng Zhilong even kicked Zheng Sen over.
"Father, my son is also trying to protect my entire Zheng family!"
Zheng Sen got up, knelt on the ground and shouted.
"You beast, my second uncle used to love you a lot, but you actually sold my second uncle away, I will kill you..."
As he spoke, Zheng Zhihu was about to draw his knife to chop Zheng Sen, but was stopped by a group of pirate leaders. Not only did the knife be taken away, but they were also hugged tightly.
"Eldest brother, third master, and eldest nephew are also trying to protect everyone. I hope that eldest brother and third master will put the overall situation first!"
"Yes, eldest brother, the eldest nephew is now favored by the Queen Mother, and everyone will have someone to rely on in the future. Who dares to create trouble for eldest brother and third master when they arrive in Nanjing?"
Almost everyone knelt down on one knee and tried hard to persuade Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Zhibao, obviously choosing to side with Zheng Sen without hesitation.
After all, they don't care who is in charge of the Zheng family, they only care about whether their own interests can be protected.
Now in this situation, it is obvious that Zheng Sen is in charge, which is more in line with everyone's interests. Not only can this crisis be solved, but Zheng Sen has also become the queen mother's man. From now on, everyone's wealth, life, wealth and property will be better protected.
There is no need to be as nervous as now and completely unable to speak in court.
Zheng Zhilong glanced at these old brothers who had followed him through life and death. He was also half angry. There was a sadness in his heart. After being silent for a long time, he sighed, helped Zheng Sen up and said: "That's all, that's all. My father is getting old. You are now like this."
You are so promising, and have been appreciated by the Queen Mother. You have a bright future, and I am very happy as a father. I sent you to Nanjing to study in the first place, and it was not in vain. From now on, I am relieved that the Zheng family will be in your hands."
Obviously Zheng Zhilong also knew that the situation was over. Instead of turning his father and son against each other in the end, it would be better to help his son.
"Father, don't worry. The child will take good care of his younger brothers and sisters. Third uncle, please don't worry too..."
Although he had long expected that his father would compromise, Zheng Sen still breathed a sigh of relief. After all, if his father did not compromise, he would be accused of being unfilial if he used force.
Everyone was also relieved. If the eldest brother could compromise, it would undoubtedly be the best ending for everyone.
Otherwise, if they really help the eldest nephew to take down all his third and second uncles, the news will spread that the faces of all of them will not look very good.
"Brother, don't be confused."
Zheng Zhihu was anxious. The eldest son and the third son could go to the capital to enjoy the blessings, but he would definitely not end well. Now he was being held tightly by several people, and he couldn't escape even if he wanted to.
Even if Zheng Sen didn't say anything, everyone would naturally not let Zheng Zhihu break away and escape. Once he was allowed to escape, Zheng Sen would not be able to explain to the Queen Mother, and maybe everyone would be dead, so if they had not taken into account their past feelings, they would have killed him long ago.
The five flowers are tied up.
"Second brother, eldest brother is incompetent and can't protect you. Don't blame Sen'er. If you do, blame you for not listening to eldest brother's advice. Alas!"
Zheng Zhilong sighed, then turned and left the hall.
Zheng Zhibao had no choice but to follow him with his head hanging down. Although he hated Zheng Sen deeply in his heart, he cursed him for not being a human being.
The eldest brother was responsible for dereliction of duty. It would be fine if he was dismissed and went to Nanjing, but what does it have to do with him? He wanted to get it with his ass. The eldest nephew definitely brought him to Nanjing on purpose to prevent him from staying in Fujian and being an eyesore. But now he is saying these words
I never dare to say it out loud, after all, I will have to rely on this good nephew in the future.
After the two left, all the pirates looked at Zheng Sen.
Zheng Sen just glanced at his second uncle guiltily and ordered someone to take him down and lock him up.