Eighth year of Chongzhen

Chapter 45 Zheng Zhilong

In Anhai Town, Jinjiang County, Quanzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province, a vast and large-scale house occupies more than half of the entire town. This is the house of Zheng Zhilong, a hero who ran across the East China Sea and South China Sea and monopolized the trade between the Ming Dynasty and the East and South Seas.

Zheng's Mansion is located in the north of Anping Bridge, from Xidai to Xigang in the west, Xidiantou in the north, Anping Qiaotou in the south, and directly leads to Wugang Port, covering an area of ​​138 mu.

The main structure is Xieshan style with five bays and thirteen frames, with three gates, double fire lanes and five entrances to the courtyard.

Wing halls, pavilions and pavilions on both sides face each other, and the rings are used as barriers.There is "Dunren Pavilion" in the east, "Taiyun Building" in the west, "Catholic Hall" in the front hall, and "Xiaosi Hall" in the middle hall, with a grand scale.There is a "Zhiyuan Garden" behind the big house, surrounded by walls, sparsely surrounded by hills, pavilions, houses, ponds, small bridges, winding paths, beautiful trees, exotic flowers and plants.

At this time, in a spacious hall in the main courtyard of the fourth entrance of the Zheng Mansion, Zheng Zhilong, his third younger brother Zheng Zhibao, and his fourth younger brother Zheng Zhifeng were drinking and chatting.

The 31-year-old handsome Zheng Zhilong sat at the main seat. He looked at Zheng Zhibao, who was sitting on the lower left hand seat, who was burying his head in eating, and said with a smile, "Third son, did you overwork yourself last night? This Western woman is tall and big. Don't be too greedy and hurt your body!"

Zheng Zhibao raised his head and wiped the oil stains around his mouth with his hands, and said with a smile: "Hey, big brother, don't tell me, this Western girl tastes different from the Han girl! It's so turbulent on the bed, thanks to our brothers Normal people can’t afford to have a good body from daily struggles! Another day, I’ll ask my brothers to get a few more attractive ones, so you can change your taste too, big brother, hehehehe!”

Zheng Zhifeng, who was slowly sipping a bowl of rice wine, gave Zheng Zhibao a dissatisfied look, and said, "Third brother, that Western girl was originally bought by my subordinates for my elder brother to enjoy. You are good, just take it from me, and return it to me." I’m ashamed to say I’ll get a few for my elder brother, and I won’t be able to reach my elder brother’s yard any more!”

Zheng Zhilong waved his hands and said with a smile: "I really don't like Western girls. They look good from a distance, but they smell like sex when they get close. The hair on their body is thicker than mine, and their blue eyes make me panic when I look at them at night. It's still from the Han family." Hello girl, gentle and obedient, well-behaved and sensible, you two should enjoy it yourself, I am not blessed to suffer!"

Just as Zheng Zhifeng was about to speak, Zheng Qi, the leader of the Zheng family, hurried in from the outside, came to the lobby, knelt down on one knee and said, "My lord, Governor Zou Weilian is here by boat. The clock is coming."

Zheng Zhilong was stunned for a moment, and a look of surprise flashed across his dark face. Zheng Zhibao and Zheng Zhifeng also looked at each other, feeling a little bewildered. Zheng Zhilong said: "How many ships have come? How many people are there?"

"It's just an official ship. I asked the brothers who reported it specially. There are dozens of entourages." Zheng Qi replied.

"Fourth, you change your clothes and go to meet the governor. I don't know what the governor is looking for us. Could it be that he has no money?" Zheng Zhilong laughed.

Zheng Zhifeng got up and took Zheng Qi out to the pier.

Zheng Zhilong glared at Zheng Zhibao, who lowered his head and was eating again, and said, "Third son, are you reincarnated from starvation? Hurry up and change your clothes, the governor will be here in a while."

Zheng Zhibao raised his head nonchalantly and said: "This is our Zheng family's territory, who cares about the governor, he has to bow his head and be a petty person when he comes here!"

Zheng Zhilong shouted: "Go away and change clothes! After all, we are officials of the imperial court. Don't forget that we also have official status, so we can live with face!"

Zheng Zhibao muttered to his side, "A coastal defense guerrilla, I only get a boss, an official as big as sesame and mung bean, the bullshit imperial court is so fucking stingy!"

Zheng Zhilong ignored him and went to the inner house on his own, so Zheng Zhibao had to follow his elder brother to change clothes, and a few servants came in and began to tidy up the room.

Fujian governor Zou Weilian stepped down from the official ship, followed by his staff member Zhang Weifeng and other entourages and guards, and several captains in Jinyi were also among the crowd.

Zheng Zhifeng, who was dressed as a military officer, rushed forward, calling her lord, and gestured to kneel down to salute, Zou Weilian stretched out his hands to hold his arms and said with a smile: "Mr. !"

In the fifth year of Chongzhen, Zheng Zhilong led his troops to defeat Liu Xiang, his old rival. Zou Weilian was the man in charge. In the following year, he led Zheng Zhilong's team to defeat the Dutch red-haired ghosts who occupied the center and left, so they are still familiar with the leaders of the Zheng family. .

Zheng Zhifeng smiled and said: "I haven't seen you for a few years, but the old man still has the same demeanor. I don't know what is the important thing to come to Anhai this time?"

Zou Weilian stroked his beard and said with a smile: "It's a good thing, it's a good thing for your Zheng family!"

Zheng Zhifeng wanted to ask again, but the governor's official sedan chair had already been lifted off the boat.

Zou Weilian got into the sedan chair, lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and said with a smile: "Mr. Qian, why don't you lead the way? I want to ask for a wedding wine today, ha ha ha ha!"

Zheng Zhifeng couldn't ask any more questions, so he rode on the war horse brought by his subordinates, led the way, and a group of people went to Zheng's mansion.

The wharf was only two miles away from the Zheng Mansion, and a moment later the official sedan chair dropped in front of the Zheng Mansion's gate. The guards opened the sedan chair curtain, and Zou Weilian leaned over and got out of the sedan chair. After arranging his clothes, he stood in front of the Zheng Mansion's gate with his hands behind his back.

Zheng Zhifeng jumped off the horse, and just about to invite Zou Weilian into the mansion, the door of Zheng's mansion suddenly opened slowly, dressed in a bear men's suit, the tall and straight Zheng Zhilong greeted him from the door with a smile, and when he came to Zou Weilian, he wanted to salute .

Zou Weilian's heart was tired, but he supported Zheng Zhilong with a smile on his face, and said with a smile: "General Zheng is a good-looking man! I haven't seen you for a few years, and he is still so handsome, but this old man is getting old!"

Zheng Zhilong straightened up and said with a smile: "My lord was joking. I haven't seen my lord since we left a few years ago. I miss you very much. I never thought that I could listen to my lord's teachings face to face today. I'm very lucky. Boss." People, please!"

As expected of dealing with all kinds of people since he was young, Zheng Zhilong is indeed a well-rounded, long-sleeved and good dancer, Zou Weilian secretly thought.

Zou Weilian stepped into the mansion first, Zheng Zhilong was half behind to accompany him, Zhang Weifeng, Zou Weilian's aide, was a few steps behind, accompanied by Zheng Zhifeng, Zheng Zhibao followed from a distance, unwilling to step forward to meddle, the governor of the yamen had Zheng Qi to greet the other Waiting in the yard.

After passing through countless pavilions, they finally came to the lobby where the Zheng Zhilong brothers had dinner together. Zheng Zhilong respectfully invited the governor to take a seat, and then he, Zheng Zhifeng, and Zheng Zhibao sat in the lower seats, and Zhang Weifeng stood behind Zou Weilian.

After everyone sat down, Zheng Zhilong cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is a rare visitor, so I don't know what to teach you here? An official has always been known for his incorruptibility, but he came to this remote and shabby room with great difficulty. I still have to invite your lord to take care of him." It's just a drink, and I hope you will reward me, hahaha!"

Zou Weilian twitched his lips secretly, thinking: If this is a shabby house, then my house is just a latrine.

There was a smile on his face and he said: "General Zheng doesn't care about the food today, and the old man will not leave. I must eat you well. I have something good to tell you, hahaha!"

Zheng Zhilong felt a little impatient in his heart, and said with a smile: "What good thing is it? I hope the boss will tell you bluntly!"

Zou Weilian put away his smile and said solemnly: "There is an imperial decree for you. The Holy Majesty knows that your brothers are impatient with red tape, so he specially passed an order to this old man, asking you not to set up an incense table to receive the order. It can be seen that the Holy Majesty values ​​you very much. Hehe! General Zheng, You have been promoted!"

Then, a school lieutenant in brocade clothes came forward holding a bright yellow satin scroll with auspicious cloud patterns on it. Zou Weilian got up and bowed his hands to the north, and then took the imperial decree with both hands. Kneel down behind him.

Zou Weilian handed the imperial decree into his hands, and said in a solemn voice: "The Holy Majesty praised you for fighting against the bandits inside and defending against powerful enemies outside. I hereby recommend you as the general soldier of Fujian, and Yin's eldest son, Sen, as a hundred households of Jinyiwei; your late brother Zhihu Department With the rank of general soldier, Yin's son is the hundred households of Jinyiwei; Zhibao is promoted to the general of the Fujian general army, and Zhifeng is the guerrilla general. Zheng Zongbing, the Holy Majesty values ​​you very much. Yeah!"

Zheng Zhilong's expression also became solemn, and after turning to the north to kowtow to thank him, he stood up holding the imperial decree, and said to Zheng Zhifeng: "Fourth, go to Dunren Pavilion to set up an incense table and enshrine the imperial decree!" Zheng Zhifeng took the imperial decree with both hands, and responded and go.

Several captains in Jinyi put their official uniforms and belts on the table. Zheng Zhilong was more reserved, while Zheng Zhibao scratched his head and looked overjoyed.

Zheng Zhilong beamingly ordered Zheng Qi to set up a running water banquet in the town for three days, all the soldiers and civilians would eat and drink as much as they wanted, each household would receive three taels of silver, and all brothers under their names would each receive ten taels of silver.

Zou Weilian and the others were not only dumbfounded to themselves, how much money they got, no wonder they all said that Zheng Zhilong was as rich as an enemy, and his reputation was indeed well-deserved.

Zou Weilian sighed, stroked his beard and said nothing, Zheng Zhilong saw this and said in his heart: "The meat is coming."

Hastily asked: "What is there to worry about, my lord? You might as well say it bluntly, as long as one organ can help, I will do my best!"

Zou Weilian frowned and said: "Zong Bing Zheng is really rich, isn't this row of noodle worth a few thousand taels of silver? Alas, I heard that the Holy Majesty had to use internal money to pay for the suppression of thieves and slaves because of the exhaustion of the treasury. Empresses and princes only have a few dishes for a meal, and there are patches on the underwear worn by the Holy Majesty, the old man can't help feeling pain in his heart, and tears in his eyes!" After saying the next few sentences, Zou Weilian's eyes were filled with tears , Zhang Weifeng also sighed endlessly, and several captains in Jinyi also lowered their heads.

The Zheng Zhilong brothers suddenly felt embarrassed, and the cheerful and joyful atmosphere in the venue quickly cooled down.

Zheng Zhilong coughed, and said: "The lower official thought that the sage was the lord of the world, and he should be rich in the world. If the old man didn't say anything, the lower official really didn't know the inside story. The sage treated him so favorably, and the lower official should repay the holy grace generously. How about this, the lower officials will give the Holy One 10 taels of silver for the imperial court to suppress thieves, my lord, do you think it's okay?"

Zou Weilian wiped the corners of his eyes lightly with his sleeve, and forced a smile: "Zheng Zongbing has a heart, 10 taels is enough for a family to enjoy for dozens of generations, but for the imperial court of Nuoda, it is really a drop in the bucket. Oh, let’s not talk about that, we are here today to congratulate Zongbing Zheng and the others, talking about these things will spoil the interest of the master, let’s go, let’s go drink!”

Zheng Zhilong hurriedly got up and led the way, and everyone stepped out of the lobby, walked through the long corridor and came to a flower hall.

It was early winter, and the north was getting colder. People had already put on heavy clothes, but the climate in the south of the Five Ridges was pleasant. The flower hall was surrounded by bonsai flowers and trees, and the environment was elegant.

There are two banquet tables in the hall, the tables are full of delicacies, one table is in the main hall, the other table is in the side hall, Zheng Zhilong solemnly invites Zou Weilian to sit at the main seat, Zhang Weifeng takes the second seat, Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Zhifeng are accompanied, and Zheng Zhibao is accompanied by several A captain named Jinyi sat at another table.

　Historical records: "Any sea ship that does not have the flag of the Zheng family cannot come and go. Each ship receives three thousand gold, and the annual income is tens of millions, so as to enrich the enemy's country and build the city of Anping Town by itself"; , domestic guests and foreign businessmen all use Zheng's banner. It's not a matter of being rich and invincible, it is a matter of invincible countries. According to statistics from later generations, Zheng Zhilong himself has tens of millions of taels of silver, and Zheng Zhibao and Zheng Zhifeng each have millions of taels of assets. Zheng Zhilong often spends a lot of money 10 taels is really not much to buy important ministers and eunuchs.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)