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Later generations evaluated the father and son Zheng Zhilong and Zheng Chenggong. Most of them said that they were famous generals who resisted the Qing Dynasty, heroes who regained Taiwan, and loyal ministers who continued the Ming Dynasty... Zheng Chenggong was even given a national surname by the Emperor of Nanming and was called the "Guo Surname Master"!
But in fact, at the beginning, Zheng Zhilong was essentially just a pirate.
Of course, Zheng Zhilong is not an ordinary pirate. He can be said to be the largest pirate in the southeastern coastal areas of this era, including Taiwan and Japan!
At the same time, he is also the leader of the largest maritime merchant and military group in East and Southeast Asia, monopolizing most of the maritime trade in these regions!
He is even known as "the first shipping king in the history of the world". Such a title is enough to illustrate Zheng Zhilong's strength and influence!
Against the background of the maritime ban of the Ming Dynasty and the rise of world maritime power, Zheng Zhilong used private power to form a navy, deal with the Eastern and Western forces, and also successfully defeated the Western maritime forces in the Liaoluo Bay naval battle on Kinmen Island in Quanzhou , allowing the Han people to regain maritime dominance, he was definitely a pivotal figure in the East Asian waters in the Age of Discovery!
When Zheng Zhilong was only twenty years old, he had already become a world-famous pirate. As his strength and influence became stronger and stronger, he also established a political power in Taiwan. Not only did he have a A powerful private navy protected itself, and it also imitated the Ming Dynasty in setting up officials in Taiwan, forming a separatist regime that was beginning to take shape.
After Emperor Chongzhen ascended the throne, Zheng Zhilong, who was only 23 years old, led his navy to attack Quanzhou on a large scale. He won many battles and defeated the Fujian fleet of the Ming Dynasty. Yanjing was shocked for a while!
At that time, the Ming Dynasty was facing internal and external troubles. Emperor Chongzhen was unable to annihilate Zheng Zhilong, so he turned to recruit troops.
In the end, Zheng Zhilong accepted the Ming court's recruitment and became the governor of Tongzhi and the commander-in-chief of Fujian.
At this time, Zheng Zhilong already had a navy of 30,000 men and thousands of ships under his command. His strength was shocking.
In that period of history that Zhao Junchen is familiar with, Zheng Zhilong was trapped in Beijing because of the Qing army's entry into the Pass. Although he declared his surrender to the Qing Dynasty, he still had to die in the end - this is what Zheng Zhilong's son Zheng Chenggong tried his best to One of the important reasons for resistance to clearing.
To a large extent, Zheng Chenggong's various achievements in later generations were due to the extremely rich family fortune left to him by Zheng Zhilong.
But in this historical time and space, because Emperor Chongzhen was more capable and the Little Ice Age was delayed, the Ming Dynasty barely continued. The Qing army was still huddled in the north of Shanhaiguan, so Zheng Zhilong did not die in the Qing Dynasty. Hands, he is still the overlord-level figure in the East Asian waters.
Even later, Zheng Chenggong's achievements in completely regaining Taiwan and expelling the Dutch fell on Zheng Zhilong.
This is also a matter of course. In the period of history that Zhao Junchen is familiar with, Zheng Zhilong had occupied most of Taiwan before he was killed by the Qing Dynasty. The number of Han immigrants in Taiwan also accounted for an absolute majority, and he was far away from completely controlling Taiwan. It's just a few steps away.
It was precisely because of Zheng Zhilong's achievements in regaining Taiwan that he was named An Nanbo by Emperor Chongzhen!
This title is hereditary, but it is much more valuable than the "immortal new uncle" that Zhao Junchen is about to be awarded.
But through Zheng Zhilong's performance in two different histories, his character can be roughly demonstrated.
This is a strongman and a tyrant, and he is divided into one party and is not so loyal to the Ming Dynasty.
In fact, even after being ordered to peace by the Ming Dynasty, Zheng Zhilong has always been in a state of listening to orders but not propaganda. The Ming Dynasty did not have the ability to control the huge navy under Zheng Zhilong. After Zheng Zhilong regained Taiwan, the people of Taiwan only knew Zheng Zhilong didn't know that the imperial court, and the appointment of officials in Taiwan depended on Zheng Zhilong's words!
It is precisely for this reason that Li Xun said that the court's attitude towards Zheng Zhilong was "prevention is greater than use", which can be said to be extremely fearful.
However, Zhao Junchen knew very well what the fleet and navy under Zheng Zhilong's command meant in this era.
If the Ming Dynasty wants to survive the Little Ice Age in the future, and even stand on top of the world again, this force is absolutely of great significance.
Now, after seeing that Li Xun had some contact with Zheng Zhilong, Zhao Junchen was naturally a little moved and wanted to take the opportunity to establish a relationship with Zheng Zhilong to pave the way for some of his future plans.
Of course, Zhao Junchen had no delusions that he could control Zheng Zhilong.
You know, although Zheng Zhilong also serves as the commander-in-chief of Fujian, he is completely different from the commander-in-chief of Shaanxi and Gansu. It is not an exaggeration to say that they are worlds apart.
After Zheng Zhilong monopolized the maritime trade between East Asia and Southeast Asia, he was definitely making money every day, and he was probably even the richest man in the Ming Dynasty. He had separatized Taiwan over the years and only nominally surrendered to the Ming Dynasty. Even Emperor Deqing did not Will be looked down upon by him, let alone Zhao Junchen.
Whether it is power suppression or money bribery, it is not feasible for Zheng Zhilong.
Therefore, after Zhao Junchen and Zheng Zhilong got involved, they just wanted to cooperate as equals!
At least, this is Zhao Junchen's current plan.
At this time, seeing Zhao Junchen's sudden change in mood, Li Xun couldn't help but be startled.
He didn't know why Zhao Junchen cared so much about An Nanbo and Zheng Zhilong, a feudal official with a background of pirates.
You know, after hearing Zheng Zhilong's name, ordinary officials would look like they were talking about it. They were afraid to avoid it, for fear of getting involved and being guarded and hostile by the central court.
But Zhao Junchen seemed to be very interested in Zheng Zhilong.
After being stunned for a moment, Li Xun replied, "Mr. Zhao, what I'm talking about is none other than Zheng Zhilong, the governor of Fujian, the commander-in-chief of Fujian, and the uncle of Annan."
Zhao Junchen changed his friendly look with a smile and asked, "Oh? Governor Li just said that he has some relationship with Zheng Zhilong, but he doesn't know what kind of relationship it is?"
Li Xun felt more and more strange in his heart, but after seeing that things seemed to be turning around, he still answered honestly, "Xiaguan is from Quanzhou, Fujian. He has a distant relative named Li Dan. In terms of seniority, he still calls him uncle." Grandfather! This great-uncle of the lower official is Zheng Zhilong's adoptive father. Zheng Zhilong's maritime power can be regarded as inherited from Li Dan, and he has carried it forward and surpassed his predecessors.
When Xiaguan was nineteen years old, he went to Beijing to take the exam. It was just a temporary test. Unexpectedly, he was lucky enough to get the title of Tong Jinshi and was ranked at the bottom of the apricot list. After Xiaguan received the news, he was happy and depressed at the same time. I am famous on the apricot list. I am depressed because I feel that I took the exam too early. I should study hard for a few more years and try to get a better reputation. The Tongjinshi at the bottom of the apricot list is really too low, and it will inevitably affect the future of my subordinates. Career!
But time has come. At that time, Zheng Zhilong had only been recruited by the imperial court for a few years. He still maintained his pirate style and had many conflicts with the central government. There were even rumors that Zheng Zhilong wanted to proclaim himself king. In order to stabilize Zheng Zhilong, the late emperor He sent an important minister, Yang Sichang, to comfort him. Because Xiaguan was distantly related to Zheng Zhilong's adoptive father, Li Dan, he was named by Mr. Yang Ge and joined the team.
After Xiaguan followed Mr. Yang Ge and met Zheng Zhilong, Zheng Zhilong was quite friendly to Xiaguan because of his foster father Li Dan. Coupled with Mr. Yang Ge's deliberate comfort, the turmoil was gone. It was also for this reason that he was recommended by Mr. Yang Ge and was quickly promoted to the position of local magistrate. His starting point was much higher than that of his colleagues! If this were not the case, it would be absolutely impossible for someone with a lower official background to be promoted to a feudal official. "
After listening to Li Xun's explanation, Zhao Junchen felt a little disappointed and felt that the relationship between Li Xun and Zheng Zhilong was a little distant.
But Zhao Junchen still asked, "Oh? I didn't expect there to be such a reason! But I wonder if Governor Li has kept in touch with Zheng Zhilong over the years?"
Li Xun hesitated for a moment, but still gritted his teeth and said, "Xiaguan is able to achieve his current status because of Zheng Zhilong's help. In addition, when Xiaguan met Zheng Zhilong with Mr. Yang Ge, he called Zheng Zhilong his uncle, so these We have kept in touch over the years, but because the imperial court is extremely vigilant against Zheng Zhilong, I don’t dare to have too close contact with him, so I just send some local products every year.”
Zhao Junchen was thoughtful and asked, "Zheng Zhilong...how old is he this year? Is his health okay?"
After Li Xun calculated it secretly, he replied, "Uncle Annan can be said to be a rare old man in the world. Everyone says that people rarely grow old until they are sixty years old. But Annanbo is now approaching his eightieth birthday and his body is barely able to survive." He can hold on, but he is a little deaf and lacks energy. He has left all the matters in his hands to his children and grandchildren a long time ago, but his prestige is extremely high. As long as he expresses a clear attitude, Fujian and the nearby waters will No one dares to disobey."
Zhao Junchen nodded, but at the same time his heart was racing, thinking about how he should get along with Zheng Zhilong in the future.
After about a cup of tea, Zhao Junchen finally made a decision in his heart.
Then, under Li Xun's uneasy gaze, Zhao Junchen said with a smile, "Governor Li's matter may not be turning around. After all, you have suffered it for others. Even if the court is questioning the crime, it should not involve the clan members... This matter I will help you negotiate the matter, and even if I can’t save you in the end, I can at least save your tribe.”
Hearing Zhao Junchen's promise, Li Xun couldn't help but feel happy and sad.
The reason for joy is that Zhao Junchen is finally willing to help. According to Zhao Junchen, he can at least save the lives of the Li family members.
Sad because... looking at Zhao Junchen's attitude, his own life would most likely not be saved.
Li Xun lived to be sixty-two years old, but he still felt that he had not lived enough.
But the matter has come to this, and this is the best ending.
So, Li Xun stood up and cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Mr. Zhao. I will leave everything to Mr. Zhao!"
After Zhao Junchen nodded, he said meaningfully, "I should return to the capital soon. When I pass by Shanxi, I will meet with Governor Li's people. If there are available talents among them, I will not only Save their lives and give them a future, which is enough to ensure that your Li family will have no worries for generations to come!"
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23/30
Second update.
In addition, now is the period of strict review. After uploading a new chapter, there will be detailed checks in the background and updates will not be displayed for a long time. Therefore, the update pattern during this period will be a bit unstable. Please forgive me.
By the way, it is precisely because of the strict investigation at the starting point that Chongzi will not describe Zheng Chenggong too much, but will move out Zheng Zhilong - Zheng Zhilong's experience is more legendary, but his reputation is very small, so he will not Cause trouble.
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