PS: Thanks to book friend 20200422190813041 for the reward.
Li Guozhu knew that life on the ship was difficult. When he saw Zheng Zhilong eating the food on the table, he pushed several plates on the table in front of Zheng Zhilong.
Zheng Zhilong took a few bites of the dishes on the table, picked up the wine glass and took a big sip. Then he looked at Li Guozhu and said, "Is there something wrong with Brother Guozhu?"
Li Guozhu is Li Dan's biological son, and his adopted son cannot compare.
The other party personally welcomed him home from the port and set up such a table of food and wine. He didn't think it was just to catch the wind and wash away the dust.
"Zhilong, have you heard about what happened in Bengang not long ago?" Li Guoshu picked up the wine pot and filled the wine glass in front of Zheng Zhilong.
Zheng Zhilong nodded and said: "I heard that, I really didn't expect that the red-haired barbarians are no longer the opponent of the Tiger Flag. I'm afraid that in a few years, the Tiger Flag will be the only one in this sea area."
As someone who was the first to come into contact with the Tiger Flag, I was also very shocked that the Tiger Flag could defeat the red-haired barbarian fleet.
"The failure of the Red-haired Barbarians in Bengang is indeed surprising, but it cannot be said that the Red-haired Barbarians are not as good as the Tiger Flag. After all, their strength is mainly concentrated in Batavia." Li Guozhu said.
Zheng Zhilong picked up a piece of meat and said while chewing: "No matter what, from now on, ships from Ming Dynasty coming to Hirado and Luzon will be under the nose of the Tiger Flag."
With a sip, he took a sip of wine.
"Not just under the nose, the tiger-character flag has now begun to collect safe money at sea. Any merchant ship that wants to pass through the nearby waters must have the tiger-character flag issued by them." Li Guozhu said with a sneer.
Zheng Zhilong said disapprovingly: "This is normal. Although they have proven their strength, if I had this ability, I would still find benefits from passing merchant ships."
He didn't think anything of what Huziqi did in Bengang, because he had the same idea himself, but he didn't have much strength, and he was working for Li Dan, so he couldn't accept the Ping An money.
"Yigong, you won't see that the Tiger Character Flag is so popular in Bengang, and you want to defect to the Tiger Character Flag!" Li Guozhu said as if he was joking.
One official only had the nickname Zheng Zhilong, and Li Guoshu called him by his nickname in order to show his closeness.
Zheng Zhilong shook his head and said: "A foster father treats an official like his own son. It is impossible for an official to betray his foster father and join the Tiger Flag. Brother, there is no need to test me with this."
He is a smart man.
Although the Tiger Flag is good, it is still inferior to Li Dan at sea. Now he has mastered part of Li Dan's power and has accumulated a lot of wealth.
Even if he defected to the Tiger Flag now, his status would not be higher than that of Zheng Tie of Bengang, let alone Liu Heng of Datong who was behind Bengang.
More importantly, after going to Tiger Flag, I can no longer earn as much wealth for myself as I do now.
"Yiguan, actually my father is very optimistic about you, and you should be able to tell that. My father has been in poor health in the past few years, so he handed over part of the ship to you. Even my own son is jealous when he sees it." Li Guozhu took a sip of wine.
Zheng Zhilong patted his chest and said, "My foster father treated me well. I will remember all of it in my heart. I will never do anything to disgrace my foster father and brother Guozhu."
"Good brother, come on, let's go." Li Guoshu was very satisfied with Zheng Zhilong's attitude, picked up the wine glass, clinked it with Zheng Zhilong, and then drank it down.
Putting down the wine glass, he took a sip of food, suppressed the smell of alcohol, and said: "Actually, the Tiger Flag not only defeated the Red Maoyi fleet in Bengang, but also defeated the Ming Navy on the same day. Otherwise, how could anyone else?" I will give them safe money honestly."
"I'm really curious about this matter. When Master Yan was in Bengang, I didn't see any Ming navy navy going to Bengang. Why did he suddenly come up with the idea of Bengang!" Zheng Zhilong frowned and looked. Ask Li Guozhu, who is at the same table.
I want to know the reason from the other party's mouth.
If the Ming Dynasty really had an idea about Bengang, it should have taken action long ago, and it would not wait until now. After all, although Dajuan Island is in a good location, it is still a semi-deserted island. Before Yan Siqi went to Bengang, there was no one on the island except For some savages, there are only wastelands and woods.
"Nan Juyi, the governor of Fujian, is eyeing the benefits of Bengang. Otherwise, why would he spend so much time sending the navy to Bengang." Li Guozhu said with a sneer.
There was no concealment of disdain for Nan Juyi in his tone.
Zheng Zhilong frowned and asked: "Can the dignified governor appreciate the benefits of Bengang?"
"There is no good thing in Bengang." Li Guozhu shook his head slightly and said immediately, "Before the red barbarians attacked Bengang, I went to Bengang and saw with my own eyes the vast sugar cane fields there. A lot of land has been reclaimed to grow various grains, and now there are at least tens of thousands of Han people on the island. To be honest, when the Yan family has been operating in Bengang for so many years, it is not as good as the development of Tiger Flag in recent years."
Zheng Zhilong touched the short beard on his lips and said: "It seems that Bengang was right to be handed over to the hands of the tiger-character flag. Without the tiger-character flag, Bengang would have fallen into the hands of the red-haired barbarians. It’s in.”
He knew clearly in his heart that Yan Siqi's strength was simply not enough to deal with the red-haired Yi fleet.
Li Dan was based in Hirado and did not pay special attention to Bengang. It was impossible to start a war with the red barbarians over Bengang. Without the tiger-character flag, a place as good as Bengang would only fall into the hands of the red barbarians.
"It would be great if Master Yan is still here." Li Guoshu sighed with emotion.
Zheng Zhilong smiled.
I knew in my heart that the Li family and his son were still very worried about Ben Port falling into the hands of the Tiger Flag. They even suspected that the red-haired barbarian fleet was going to Ben Port. The Li family and his son might have contributed to this.
People like Li Dan are willing to do anything for their own benefit.
"After dinner later, Yiguan, please come with me to see your father. You have been gone for so long, and your father has mentioned you several times and asked you when you will come back." Li Guoshu said to Zheng Zhilong.
Zheng Zhilong nodded and said: "I miss my adoptive father very much. I wonder if my adoptive father's health has been better these days? When I come back this time, I brought back a few old ginseng roots from Luzon to replenish my adoptive father's health."
"My father's health is getting worse and worse, and I don't know how long it will last." Li Guozhu said with a depressed expression.
Zheng Zhilong put down the chopsticks in his hand and said comfortingly: "Brother Guozhu, don't be sad. My adoptive father is a lucky man who has his own destiny and will live a long life."
After hearing this, Li Guozhu shook his head with a wry smile.
Naturally, he hopes that his father can live a long life. As long as Li Dan is still in charge of Hirado, the Li family will still be the largest maritime merchant, and all forces will give their Li family face. Even some officials of the Ming Dynasty have many problems at sea. Things must also rely on the name of the Li family.
