On the first day of June in the twelfth year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty, the Huben Guard Navy and the Zheng Family Navy fought a decisive battle at Liaoluo Bay!
In this battle, Zheng Zhilong suffered the most disastrous defeat in his life. The once arrogant Zheng family navy also completely collapsed in this blow.
A large number of ships were sunk, captured, and surrendered. Of the huge fleet that was said to have more than 3,000 ships, after the Battle of Liaoluo Bay, Zheng Zhilong could only control less than 800 ships.
More than two thousand ships were just left to the enemy.
The most fatal aspect of this naval battle for Zheng Zhilong was not just that. The defeat in the first battle completely eliminated the possibility of being recruited a second time and returning to Fujian again.
Now he has truly become a lost dog.
He was not reconciled to such a failure, but everything was irreversible now. Even his brother Zheng Zhibao was buried in the sea...
What's even more frightening is that the Huben Guard Navy has determined to kill everyone this time, and has been chasing after them all the time.
On the third day of June, the Tiger Guards' vanguard fleet caught up with the fleeing Zheng Family Navy. Zheng Zhilong's more than one hundred warships once again no longer belonged to the Zheng Family Navy.
At the same time, the huge pirates of the Pirate Alliance who did not appear in the great battle of Liaoluo Bay finally received Ding Yunyi's order and dispatched.
The joint pursuit of the Tiger Guards and pirates soon put Zheng Zhilong into a huge passive situation... He knew that he would never be able to make a comeback this time.
Suolong Island.
There are a large number of warships parked around this small island. The sailors on the ship looked tired, helpless, and sad. When they fled here, they seemed to have lost all the courage to escape.
These are all the officers and soldiers of the then majestic Zheng Family Navy...
The shadow of failure hangs over them, and the breath of death wraps them up. Everyone knows what awaits them in the future, and everyone knows what fate awaits them...
But, what else can you expect?
"Suolong Island, Suolong Island." Zheng Zhilong muttered the name.
Suolong Island? Your name has the word "dragon" in it. Is this destined by fate?
"Father, legend has it that an evil dragon appeared in Fujian and caused harm to Fujian. Mazu, the empress, eliminated the evil dragon for the people and fought against the evil dragon. They chased it all the way here. The evil dragon was covered in wounds and had nowhere to run." Zheng Sen came over.
Said: "Mazu originally wanted to kill it, but it was not easy for it to cultivate, so she imprisoned the evil dragon on the bottom of the sea with a big chain, and that's how it got its name."
Zheng Zhilong said calmly: "Mingyan, do you mean that I am the evil dragon and Ding Yunyi is the incarnation of Mazu who chased the evil dragon all the way?"
"I don't dare." Zheng Sen seemed to have expected his father to ask such a question, and said calmly: "It is said that the evil dragon did not live peacefully after being locked at the bottom of the sea. It always wanted to escape, and every time it struggled, it would cause chaos nearby.
Strong winds and huge waves on the sea. Mazu once said that one day the evil dragon escapes from trouble, and there will be a terrible hero in the world... Zheng Zhilong narrowed his eyes: "Do you mean you are talking about me or who else?"
"My son is talking about Ding Yunyi!" Zheng Sen said calmly: "Ding Yunyi is the evil dragon that escaped from trouble. Now that the evil dragon has escaped from the chain, this island cannot trap any dragons."
Zheng Zhilong smiled, knowing that his beloved son was there to comfort him...
At this time, his wife Tagawa Matsu, youngest son Tagawa Shizaemon, and sister-in-law Tagawa Yuki came over. Seeing them, Zheng Zhilong felt gloomy.
They are all his family members, and he should have given them a happy life. But now he has to let them continue to flee with him.
In a daze, Zheng Zhilong returned to his original pirate career...
Especially Tagawa Yuki and Tagawa Nanaemon, they had just been rescued from the hands of Japanese pirates, but now they were fleeing with themselves in panic.
What's even more ironic is that the person chasing them is their original savior: Ding Yunyi!
Does God really have his own plans?
"Madam, Ayuki, I have made you suffer." Zheng Zhilong pulled Nanaemon to his side, stroked his head, and said apologetically to his wife and sister-in-law.
"Please don't say that." Tagawa Matsu said hurriedly: "We follow you not just to enjoy happiness. As husband and wife, no matter happiness, disaster, poverty or joy, we should share it together. Is it a momentary setback?
, are we going to abandon you? No matter where you go, we will always be by your side."
Zheng Zhilong instantly felt huge comfort in his heart...
Even though he was defeated, he still has such a large group of relatives around him who have always been loyal to him... Brother, there is someone who wants to see you." At this time, Zheng Zhifeng hurried over and said.
"Oh? Is he the envoy sent by Ding Yunyi to persuade him to surrender?" Zheng Zhilong asked smoothly. When he saw Zheng Zhifeng shaking his head, he suddenly became very curious. Who else would come to see him at this time?
When the man was brought up, Tagawa Yuki and Shichizaemon cried out at the same time: "Is it you?"
"What, do you recognize him?" Zheng Zhilong looked at the young man standing in front of him and asked curiously.
"Brother-in-law, he is the one who kidnapped Nanzaemon and me!" Tagawa Yuki gritted his teeth.
With a "swipe" sound, the knife was pulled out from Zheng Zhifeng's waist.
The man smiled slightly, not much afraid.
Zheng Zhilong put his hand on his brother's knife handle, then slowly pressed the knife back, looking up and down at the young man in front of him: "What's your name?"
"Sir, in Fusang, my name is Shangchuan Lake, and in Daming, my name is Lizihu. You can call me by any name you want," the man said with a smile.
Zheng Zhilong was very curious: "You kidnapped my relatives, why do you still dare to come to see me now? Aren't you afraid that I will kill you?"
"Don't be afraid. Because we all have a common enemy." Lizihu looked very calm: "When I encouraged the Shimadzu family to kidnap Tagawa Yuki and Shichizaemon, it was just to deal with Ding Yunyi, and I never hurt them. I
It is said that the enemy of the enemy is one's friend. This time, my lord, you have suffered a new defeat. Would you kill a friend for the sake of an enemy?"
"Friend?" Zheng Zhilong smiled: "So are you here to help me this time?"
"Yes." Li Zihu nodded solemnly: "I am just here to help you."
"Help me?" Zheng Zhilong curled his lips sarcastically and looked at the sea: "Where is your fleet? Why didn't I see the fleet you came to help in the battle?"
Li Zihu said calmly: "There are various ways to help the battle. Sir, now that the Huben Guard Navy and even the Zheng Family Navy have been defeated, who else is his opponent on the sea? I only have a few boats. Put them on the sea.
I'm afraid it won't take more than a quarter of an hour to be eaten by the Huben Guards Navy until not even a single piece of wood is left... Then why are you helping us?"
Lizihu said calmly: "My lord, now the Huben Guards Navy is surrounding this place. But I have broken through the siege to see you. Don't you think it's strange?"
One sentence reminded Zheng Zhilong.
Yes, there are Tiger Guard warships everywhere outside. Where did Lizihu come here? Does he know some secret channel? Hope suddenly rose in Zheng Zhilong's heart.
However, Lizihu's immediate words made him disappointed again: "Sir, please don't misunderstand me. I do know a secret sea route that can break through the siege and get here, but that sea route can only accommodate one or two ships. If
Once there are more ships, no matter how secretive the sea route is on the sea, there will be no secrets left.”
Although he was a little disappointed, Zheng Zhilong knew that he was telling the truth, and he sighed in his heart: "Then what is the purpose of your visit this time?"
"For the sake of the young master." Li Zihu's hand slowly pointed at Zheng Sen.
Everyone in the Zheng family was stunned. They heard Li Zihu say slowly: "I heard that the young master is very talented and intelligent, and is a rare talent for the Zheng family. Do you want the young master and the navy of the Zheng family to die together?"
Zheng Zhilong felt angry and happy at the same time.
What makes him angry is that Li Zihu despises the Zheng family navy to the extreme, and he has already judged with certainty that the Zheng family navy is about to fall. But what makes him happy is that he praises his son.
"Do you have any good suggestions?" Zheng Zhilong asked, suppressing the complicated emotions in his heart.
Li Zihu nodded: "Please allow me to go out on the same boat with you. Preserve the blood of the Zheng family. As long as you are here, the Zheng family will have a chance to make a comeback and take revenge!"
Zheng Zhilong's heart moved.
Now that the Zheng family navy has reached this point, he is ready to die together with Ding Yunyi, but what he is most worried about is his son Zheng Sen.
If he could really get his son to break out, it might be a good idea... He didn't ask his son to avenge him in the future, he just asked that the bloodline of the Zheng family would not be cut off because of him.
He knows Ding Yunyi's character very well. Ding Yunyi will definitely take this opportunity to drive out the Zheng family... Why should I believe you?" Zheng Zhilong asked coldly.
"My lord, have you forgotten? The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Li Zihu smiled faintly: "I have always wanted to seek revenge from Ding Yunyi, and by joining forces with the young master, I have an extra possibility of winning. Your lord may not know yet,
I am quietly following another fleet of Huben Guards...what? Another fleet of Huben Guards?" Zheng Zhilong asked in a daze.
Lizihu nodded: "Yes, Huben Guards sent a fleet, commanded by Ye Dahai, whose destination is unknown. I have been sending ships to follow, waiting for a lone ship in this fleet, and then annihilating it in one fell swoop.
"
Having said this, he turned back and looked at the sea: "Sir, there is not much time left. Please make a decision as soon as possible! Otherwise, when the Tiger Guards start attacking, not even a ship will be able to escape."
!”
"Come here, take Mr. Li down to rest." Zheng Zhilong suddenly said.
This time it was Li Zihu's turn to be stunned, but Zheng Zhifeng quickly came over and raised his hand: "Mr. Li, please!"
Lizihu was temporarily taken down. Zheng Zhilong was silent for a while: "Mingyan, let's go with Lizihu."
"Father, do you want me to abandon you and escape alone at this time?" Zheng Sen blurted out without even thinking: "If my son really does this, then everyone in the world will only look at his son with contempt.
.”
"You live not for yourself, but for our Zheng family." Zheng Zhilong looked at his son with a smile: "I traveled across the sea, but this time I was defeated by Ding Yunyi. I have nothing to say, but my Zheng family
Someone must shoulder the mission of revenge, and no one else can take on this mission except you."
Seeing that Zheng Sen was still arguing, Zheng Zhilong asked calmly: "Why don't I send Nanzaemon out?"
Suddenly Zheng Sen seemed to understand something... Because Shichizaemon is not as good as you, he cannot bear such a responsibility!" Zheng Zhilong's words were indeed what Zheng Sen was thinking: "His character is compared to yours.
, cowardly, but you are different. If anyone can really avenge my Zheng family, then this person can only be you."
"Father, I understand." Zheng Sen said while forcing himself to endure the sadness in his heart.
"It's good to understand, it's good to understand." Zheng Zhilong's voice suddenly became deeper when he said: "What do you think of Lizihu?"
"He must not have any good intentions." Zheng Sen said with a cold snort.
Zheng Zhilong's eyes were full of joy: "It's good that you can see this. The reason why he risked his life to save you is simply because he saw that even though the Zheng family suffered a tragic defeat, there is still a secret power. What he wants to use is,
These are the hidden powers of our Zheng family. Mingyan, please listen carefully... He whispered in Zheng Sen's ear for a long time. The expression on Zheng Sen's face changed uncertainly. He really couldn't think of it.
My father actually still hid the power that could one day make a comeback for the Zheng family.
After finishing these words, Zheng Zhilong breathed a sigh of relief: "I, Zheng Zhilong, have been running rampant for so many years and have enemies all over the world. How can I not be on guard? I have accumulated this wealth for half my life. You find an opportunity to open it secretly."
, consider it as your fund to avenge my Zheng family!"
Zheng Sen nodded silently.
Zheng Zhilong then said slowly: "Remember, when the conditions are ripe, get rid of Lizihu. This person will be a disaster sooner or later if you keep him around!"
"Father, don't worry, my son will definitely let Li Zihu die without a burial place like Ding Yunyi!" Murderous intent flashed through Zheng Sen's eyes.
"Okay, okay, I have a son like this, what else can I regret?" Amid laughter, Zheng Zhilong waved his hand and said:
"Go and remember what I, Zheng Zhilong, said to you today!"