In a luxurious mansion in Jinling.
The pavilions, terraces and pavilions are magnificent, with dragons and phoenixes painted in extraordinary style.
This was once the palace where Emperor Taizu stayed.
Later, the illegal areas were slightly modified, and it became the Zhen family's garden.
In the study room in the front hall.
In front of an old man who is nearly fifty years old and has a warm smile that makes people feel like spring breeze.
Zou Ming was standing respectfully and with his hands down, waiting for instructions.
After listening to his report, the old man frowned and pondered for a long time.
He looked at Zou Mingdu until his heart tightened.
Fortunately, he soon relaxed his brows again and chuckled.
"Renhou, they say we should learn from history. Do you know how many moral schools there are in history?"
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Zou Mingdu didn't understand what the other party meant and hesitated:
"I'm afraid there are countless of them, right?"
"Not bad! There are just too many to count!"
The old man stood up and sighed, then smiled and asked:
"But do you know why only the teachings of Confucius and Mencius have been passed down?"
Zou Mingdu was confused when he was asked, he shook his head honestly and said: "I don't know Renhou."
"Confucius said benevolence and Mencius said righteousness. These are the foundations of morality, so they are generally recognized by the world."
The old man looked like a scholar, like a teacher teaching his students.
"But other schools are more or less superficial in the world, with high-pitched music and few people."
This is definitely a very insightful statement.
There have been many schools of thought in history.
In these schools, ethics are more or less involved.
However, its ambitions are too high.
I wish that everyone could become a saint with no desires or desires!
But not many people can really reach that level.
This also leads to the world almost completely ignoring it.
These so-called morals.
As usual, do your own thing.
In this world, the law of the jungle is becoming more and more prevalent.
There are even more male thieves and female prostitutes emerging one after another.
But these moral people still talk empty talk.
His thoughts and tastes are so high, but the world's behavior is so low.
It's a huge difference.
To put it bluntly, it’s just not down to earth.
The old man's words revealed the dilemma of Qingliu in all dynasties.
The song is highbrow and lowbrow.
Zou Mingdu was quite touched when he heard the words, but he still didn't understand.
Does this have anything to do with Feng Yuan?
He could only flatter him with a look of admiration, and said, "Master Zhen, you are so wise, so kind and teachable!"
This old man is naturally the president of Jinling Provincial Tiren Academy.
The head of the Zhen family in Jiangnan is Zhen Yingjia.
Seeing Zou Mingdu's learned look, he smiled again and said:
"A man with hairpins and tassels is often not as loyal as a lonely and cold man."
As soon as these words came out, Zou Mingdu was stunned.
He didn't expect that Zhen Yingjia would become so cruel and scold him as well.
Isn't it true that the gentleman with a hairpin is just a son of a wealthy family like him?
If he knew that Zhen Yingjia had a deep connection with the Japanese pirates.
I'm afraid I just think that people are self-aware.
Not counting this, Zhen Yingjia continued:
"People in the temple are often not as knowledgeable as people in the mountains and fields."
This time, he even scolded all the civil and military personnel of the dynasty.
They are simply pointing their noses and saying that these people are ignorant and worse than villagers in the mountains.
But if you think about it carefully, you will realize that it is indeed the case.
The officialdom of the Wei Dynasty has long been in decay.
Everyone forms cliques and only cares about their own interests.
Even the royal family is involved in selling their official positions and titles?
Some people may say that it was the eunuchs who did it.
But what is a eunuch without the approval of the person behind it?
If it weren't for the imperial court, how could the little Japanese pirates run rampant?
Selling one's country and selling one's official position are both selling.
In Zhen Yingjia's view, there is no distinction between superior and inferior.
Just business.
If Feng Yibo knew what he was thinking, he would definitely sigh.
Is this the original capital?
Speaking of this, Zhen Yingjia looked at Zou Mingdu with a half-smile and asked:
"What's this?"
Zou Mingdu vaguely understood what the other party meant at this time, but he still shook his head cooperatively and said:
"I don't know Renhou."
Fortunately, Zhen Yingjia did not continue to talk about it, but gave a direct answer:
"The other's beauty hurts one's ambition, but this one's indifference is all true."
If you don't know what he did, everyone would think that Zhen Yingjia is a great Confucian of our time.
Everything he said was critical of the current situation.
In fact, Zou Mingdu basically understood what Zhen Yingjia meant at this time.
But he still pretended to be ignorant and said as if he was following:
"Master Zhen means..."
"I thought that the person who wrote 'I don't want to be crowned a marquis, I just hope the sea will be peaceful' must have a pure heart and be a benevolent person full of ambitions to serve the country."
Speaking of this, Zhen Yingjia couldn't help but shook her head with regret before continuing:
"But I didn't expect that the dignified Xinke Tanhua has been blinded by his official career!"
It sounded like he felt sorry for Feng Yuan, but Zou Mingdu naturally knew that was not the case.
He still looked at Zhen Yingjia with a puzzled expression, as if waiting for the next step.
Sure enough, Zhen Yingjia added with a smile:
"If he can tell you this, no matter whether he knows something or not, this Feng Yuan is nothing to worry about."
small book booth
"I see!"
Only then did Zou Mingdu suddenly realize.
This is a big shot who likes to be shrouded in clouds and mountains when he talks.
Otherwise, it is not enough to reflect his profundity.
Even if Zou Mingdu understood, he would not point it out.
Only when you let the other person speak it out can you feel a sense of accomplishment.
Now that the other party said it himself, Zou Mingdu immediately seemed to be prompted and echoed:
"On the surface, Feng Yuan appears to be a decent man and is dedicated to serving the country, but in fact, he is focused on his official career and will not hold back."
Zou Mingdu looked unhappy and said:
"And he is showing his kindness to Master Zhen both inside and outside his words."
"Even if I really knew something, I would not dare to offend the Zhen family for the sake of my career."
After a pause, he added: "It is even possible that he will take the opportunity to cling to you!"
"I was indeed right. He is kind and has a high level of understanding."
Zhen Yingjia looked like a teachable child, nodded with a smile, and said:
"Whether he is true or not, at least it shows that he knows the importance of things."
"Congratulations, Master Zhen!"
Zou Mingdu immediately flattered him and said:
"I'm still worried that Feng Yuan is messing with me, and I don't know what to do."
"Fortunately, Master Zhen woke up the dreamer with his words, now Renhou can rest assured."
After talking a lot of nonsense, I couldn’t help but confirm in the end:
"So, let's not move on this Feng Yuan?"
"Leave him alone for now."
Zhen Yingjia nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said:
"If he really wants to join us, it would be fine to give him a chance on his official career."
"After all, he has some talents. He won the top prize and is good at military training."
After saying this, he changed the subject and said:
"But if he is blinded by lard and dares to talk nonsense, then..."
After a pause, the smile remained unchanged.
The voice was cold.
"Give him a ride too."
Although he still had a gentle smile on his face, it made Zou Mingdu feel a little cold.
After all, Feng Yibo is also the most popular person in Jinke.
If there is nothing wrong.
Even if the emperor wants to deal with it, he must also consider the Shilin Material Discussion.
But Zhen Yingjia didn't take it seriously at all.
It seems that dealing with Feng Yuan is easier than dealing with a slave.
Seeing Zou Mingdu's eyes twinkling, Zhen Yingjia knew what he was thinking.
But he didn't care.
Then he smiled and said, "Renhou, thank you for your hard work this time."
When Zou Mingdu heard this, he quickly bowed and said flatteringly:
"Don't dare."
When Zou Mingdu stepped back, the iconic smile on Zhen Yingjia's face disappeared.
He pondered for a moment, then called someone and ordered:
"The Abe family's business should stop for a moment. Didn't the Fujiwara family send someone here?"
"If the price is right, pass it on to them."
The Fujiwara clan is also a famous surname in Japan, and is even more powerful than the Abe clan.
The purpose of sending people to negotiate with the Zhen family this time is to see that the Abe family has the potential to rise.
Naturally, they also want a piece of the pie.
The person in front of Zhen Yingjia was one of the housekeepers of the Zhen family.
His name is Zhen Youcai.
He is a member of the Zhen family and was Zhen Yingjia's companion when he was young.
Later, Zhen Yingjia succeeded the family head and knew that he was smart and capable, so she kept him with her.
Now in charge of the Zhen family's external business.
Zhen Youcai hesitated after hearing this and said:
"Master, if Abe asks, how should we explain it?"
Zhen Yingjia immediately sneered and said:
"A bunch of losers, what should I tell them?"
Regardless of his demeanor or tone, Zhen Yingjia was completely different from before.
Externally, he is gentle and elegant, always smiling.
Don't let others see through him easily.
Internally, he is also an ordinary person with joys, sorrows and joys.
Especially Zhen Youcai, who has been with him for a long time, there is no need for him to pretend.
"Yes! I understand!"
Zhen Youcai didn't ask any more questions, turned around and wanted to do it.
"That's right! I almost forgot!"
Zhen Yingjia suddenly stopped him again and ordered:
"Immediately send someone to scan all the lairs of the Japanese pirates who participated in the ambush of Big Nose Island. I believe there will be a lot of gains."
When Zhen Youcai heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up and he blurted out:
"That's what the master said! These guys are gone, so if we don't go, it will be an advantage for others."
"Looking at the accounts we've collected over the years, these dozen Japanese pirates together sold nearly a million taels of stolen goods."
As he said that, Zhen Youcai couldn't help but licked his lips, rubbed his hands, and said:
"Coupled with the property they directly robbed, they can accumulate at least two to three million."
"Yes, they have money and nowhere to spend it. They can only save money and wait to retire."
When Zhen Yingjia heard this, she nodded in agreement and said:
"I was thinking of fattening up some more, but now that the pigs have been slaughtered, the meat can't rot there."
After hearing this, Zhen Youcai couldn't wait anymore.
He grinned widely and said, "Okay! I'll make arrangements right away!"
Zhen Yingjia rarely showed a sincere smile, waved her hand and said:
"Go! You must be quick!"
The Zhen family has just thought of cleaning up the Japanese pirates' lair.
Feng Yibo went to clean up the dogs in the Japanese pirates' lair.
They have all returned to the New Army camp.
After seeing the gift, I looked at the dog who was tanned a lot but looked happy.
Feng Yibo asked with a smile: "Tell me, how was the harvest from this trip?"
"Hehehehe! The little master must have guessed it a long time ago, right?"
Hearing Feng Yibo's question, Gouzi couldn't close his mouth.
He smiled and said: "In terms of goods alone, including those on Big Nose Island, the total is probably over one million!"
"Oh? There really are so many!"
Although Feng Yibo was somewhat mentally prepared, he couldn't help but be excited when he heard this.
But after the excitement passed, he immediately asked:
"Where is our ship?"
Before coming back, Feng Yibo told Gouzi not to dock at the port before the ship came back.
So that no one can see the history.
Of course, the worry isn't about the ship being seen.
They are not stupid, they have already lowered the official flag.
Replaced with a makeshift caravan flag.
Moreover, although Fu Chuan is the main warship of the navy, many merchants also use Fu Chuan for long voyages.
It’s just that they are new faces after all, another professional soldier.
You can tell at a glance that his temperament is very different from ordinary people.
If we transport a large amount of goods again, it will be too easy to be targeted by interested parties.
That's why Feng Yibo is worried.
"Don't worry, little master! Our ships are now docked at a desert island offshore."
Gouzi heard Feng Yibo's worry, responded with a smile, and said:
"I also went to a shoal, changed boats, and came back to report first."
Feng Yibo felt relieved after hearing this and warned again:
"You must proceed with caution. The fewer people who know about this, the better!"
"I'll write a letter later, and you'll have the cargo ship dock at the navy's water village."
Liu Zhao somewhat knew the reasons why he kept Gouzi, but those had little to do with him.
After all, they had already promised him hush money on Big Nose Island.
Now that the credit is not missing from him, he must not have any other thoughts.
"First transport the things back, then dock at the port and act as a caravan to purchase the goods."
"Other ships can go back to the port directly, and our future fleet will have to go back to the port for shipment."
"Understood!" Gouzi nodded upon hearing this.
Feng Yibo warned again: "Remember, all the soldiers and armor should be left on the ship, and be guarded by others. Don't bring them down."
"Okay!" Gouzi nodded again.
Seeing Gouzi's serious face, Feng Yibo felt relieved.
Then he asked: "Besides wealth, is there anything else?"
Speaking of seizures, Gouzi is excited again.
He said with excitement: "Twenty-one red seal ships were captured this time, and they were all brought back together."
Now Feng Yibo has twenty blessing ships and twenty-two Zhuyin ships.
It is already considered a good-sized fleet.
"At the same time, a total of two thousand Wei people were rescued from five islands, which is similar to the situation on Big Nose Island."
Gouzi continued to take stock and added:
"Most of them are women, and the rest are craftsmen."
"I don't know how to deal with it. Just like before, I added craftsmen to the fleet and all the women were placed on Big Nose Island."
The seizure of the ship was an unexpected surprise.
In terms of personnel, Feng Yibo had already expected it.
"You handled it very well, but although Big Nose Island is in a good location, it's still a bit small."
Feng Yibo nodded, seeming to be hesitating.
After a while, he finally made up his mind and said:
"We need to occupy a larger territory!"
When Gouzi heard this, he hesitated and said:
"Those five Japanese pirates' lairs are not as good as Big Nose Island."
"Not those."
Feng Yibo shook his head, with a hint of weirdness on his face, and said:
"After following me for so long, the pattern needs to be bigger!"
After speaking, he turned around and took out a chart from the bookshelf.
Pointing to an island as big as an egg in the southeast of Wei Dynasty, he said in a deep voice:
"right here."
At this moment, Feng Yibo's face actually had a hint of sanctity.
The dog with a serious look on his face was a little confused.
Just listen to him say decisively:
"What I want is Liuqiu!"
