As soon as Zheng Zhibao heard this, he knew that something was about to happen. So, he immediately went out to greet him.
In normal times, as the second-ranked figure in the shogunate, he would definitely not wait at the door. Even if he came to Zheng Mansion, he would come in directly. Now he is waiting at the door, just asking for something from the Zheng family.
As expected, when Zheng Zhibao arrived at the door, Matsudaira Nobutsuna showed great respect for the Zheng family and entered the Zheng Mansion happily. Then, while they were chatting, the conversation suddenly changed and he said to Zheng Zhibao: "I heard that an official was doing something for the Ming Dynasty. It’s not easy to get an official position, so why not come to our Japanese country? The general has long admired the name of an official. As long as an official serves our Japanese country, he will definitely welcome you!"
"Ah..." Zheng Zhibao pretended to be surprised and quickly said with gratitude, "My eldest brother must be very grateful to be valued by the general. But I guess my eldest brother may not come to Japan. After all, my Zheng family's foundation is in the Ming Dynasty. Southeast. Please tell the general about this, I will definitely tell you, but..."
Zheng Zhilong was a well-rounded man and was engaged in maritime business. For the Japanese country, even if the country was closed to the outside world, his Zheng family was fine. This shows that he also had business affairs with the Tokugawa shogunate on weekdays and won the shogunate's favor. However, the Tokugawa shogunate also had estimates regarding Zheng Zhilong's reaction, and Zheng Zhibao's answer was within their expectations.
Therefore, although Zheng Zhibao did not finish what he said, Matsudaira Nobutsuna knew what he wanted to say, so he laughed and said nonchalantly: "It's okay, it's okay, I understand, I understand. In fact, I am more confused. , an official roams the sea, and the Ming Dynasty is completely powerless, so why should an official seek refuge in the Ming Dynasty court and be controlled and punished? "
As of now, Zheng Zhilong's maritime forces, including Xiyi, do not dare to offend Zheng Zhilong at all. They have to listen to Zheng Zhilong before they can hang out on the southeastern coast of the Ming Dynasty. With such a huge power, if the officials of the country of explanation are not clear about it, the Japanese country as an island country is very clear about it.
Hearing Matsudaira Nobutsuna's question, Zheng Zhibao sighed and said: "Who says it's not the case? My brother is also helpless! If you can have a good relationship with the court, you can naturally make a lot more money. Otherwise, the court will cause trouble. , although my Zheng family is not afraid, it will affect the business to some extent."
Having said this, he laughed at himself and said to Matsudaira Nobutsuna: "Who would have trouble with money? Don't you think so, Mr. Laozhong?"
Hearing this, Matsudaira Nobutsuna smiled. They have some idea of what kind of person Zheng Yiguan is. He now dominates the southeastern part of the Ming Dynasty and collects an unknown amount of protection money every year. They have also heard about it. Zheng Zhibao's answer was within their expectations.
Therefore, Matsudaira Nobutsuna smiled and said to Zheng Zhibao: "Since the emperor of the Ming Dynasty is immoral, why not rebel as an official? Even if the business is temporarily affected, the general can promise to make up for this part. In the future, our business in Japan will be , how about just your Zheng family handling everything?"
"Well..." Zheng Zhibao pretended to be a little surprised after hearing this, "It's not that our Zheng family has never done anything against the imperial court. However, this matter is very important to our Zheng family after all. The general is kind, and my Zheng family is very I am grateful, but this matter is very important, and I dare not make the decision!"
After hearing this, Matsudaira Nobutsuna nodded repeatedly, and suddenly his face became solemn, and he said to Zheng Zhibao: "I believe you have also heard some rumors. I will talk about this matter. The general is bound to win North Korea, and he will win it within the year. The general will send troops. But the Denglai navy of the Ming Dynasty is all under the same officer. If we meet on the battlefield later, this is what the general is not willing to do..."
Having said this, he paused, looked at Zheng Zhibao's face, and found that there was no surprise, then continued: "I believe Yiguan knows the maritime strength of our Japanese country. If Yiguan continues to serve the Ming Dynasty court , and our Japanese country is fighting against Korea, and I dare not say anything else. The Zheng family's fleet is not enough to rely on the warships currently in Liaodong. Even if they transfer warships from the southeast, they will definitely suffer heavy losses. If the Zheng family's warships are in hand Great loss of strength..."
Matsudaira Nobutsuna paused deliberately, and when he saw Zheng Zhibao's expression finally changed, he felt proud in his heart, and then continued: "Maybe the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty will accuse an official and take the opportunity to seize the foundation of the Zheng family from you. An official His fate may not be a happy one!"
Hearing this, there was a "pop" sound, and Zheng Zhibao slapped the case several times, almost frightening Matsudaira Nobutsuna, when he saw Zheng Zhibao said loudly and indignantly: "No, right now, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty feels that Jianlu has no navy. My eldest brother is no longer of much use, so I just found an excuse to dismiss my eldest brother. If you really send troops to North Korea and start a war with my Zheng family, my Zheng family's warships in the north will definitely suffer. That dog emperor was furious. Next, maybe I will put all the responsibility for the defeat on my eldest brother. And to tell you the truth, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty has been coveting my Zheng family for a long time. Not only did he transfer my eldest brother to go north, he also forced my Zheng family to continue to work from Our Zheng family has long been dissatisfied with the fact that Nanyang purchased grain and gave it to the imperial court for free!"
If the Zheng family's fleet and the Japanese navy were to confront each other head-on, it would be hard to say whether they would win or lose. Maybe they wouldn't be able to win if they left the southeast coast. After all, the Japanese navy was not comparable to the Jianlu or Korean navy. It was a real navy of a country, far more valued and stronger than the Ming Dynasty. Even Zheng Zhibao admitted this.
Seeing Zheng Zhibao so angry, Matsudaira Nobutsuna felt happy. The Zheng family is just a pirate, how much justice does the court have? Now it seems that the guess was indeed correct. The Zheng family has long been dissatisfied with the court, so there is room for negotiation!
Therefore, facing Zheng Zhibao's anger, Matsudaira Nobutsuna also accompanied the Ming Dynasty in verbal and written criticism and felt sorry for the Zheng family. Finally, the old saying was repeated, saying that the Japanese country was willing to give the Zheng family the most favorable treatment to make the Zheng family's business bigger. There is only one condition, which is to avoid a fight between the two powerful powers. The Zheng family should not listen to the Ming Dynasty court in North Korea. They can only show off and not fight. Otherwise, the Japanese warships would suffer losses, but the Zheng family's losses would inevitably be greater.
Hearing this, Zheng Zhibao immediately nodded and said: "How can our Zheng family fight against the Japanese country? Without the capital of Zonghenghai, how can we still gain a foothold in the future! I immediately sent someone to tell my elder brother about this, and I believe that my elder brother will definitely do it. Make the right decision. Just...just..."
Hearing that he seemed to be in trouble, Matsudaira Nobutsuna knew that the conditions that the Zheng family should offer him were still a bit unsatisfactory. So, he said again: "Tell the official, my Lord General has said that as long as the Zheng family stands aside, all the business in our country will be handed over to your Zheng family to make up for the losses."
At this point, his face became very solemn and he said very seriously: "Of course, if your Zheng family rebels against the Ming Dynasty, then we, the Japanese and the Jurchens, will seize the Ming Dynasty and be willing to separate Fujian and Guangdong. How about giving it to an official, so that he can not only dominate the sea, but even become the emperor himself?"
After he finished speaking, he even showed Tokugawa Iemitsu's handwriting on the spot to show that this matter was absolutely untrue!
Zheng Zhibao was shocked when he heard this. To be honest, the offer really shocked him.
Based on the maritime strength of the Zheng family, if it is based on the two provinces of Fujian and Guangdong, it will definitely dominate one side. Even if you don't have the heart to go north, there is absolutely no problem in going south to Nanyang.
If the Japanese state offered this condition before the eleventh year of Chongzhen, and if the Japanese state and Jianlu would really join forces at that time, Zheng Zhibao believed that they might be able to seduce the Zheng family.
At that time, if nothing else, the Ming Dynasty was full of thieves in the country, and it was unable to resist the foreign invaders. If a Japanese country was added to the Ming Dynasty, could the Ming country not be destroyed? It would definitely be very tempting for the Zheng family to take advantage of this opportunity and split it into one side.
But at this time, haha...
Who was the Ming Emperor? As long as they are not blind, how many people would have the guts to rebel just for their impressive military exploits?
Besides, does the emperor treat the Zheng family well?
In the past, people like the Zheng family came from pirates. Wang Zhi during the Jiajing period is a good example. Wang Zhi was willing to surrender and be recruited, but Daming still broke his promise and sent him to prison.
However, today's emperor does not discriminate against family background at all. Not only did his eldest brother become the unprecedented commander-in-chief of the Navy, but Zheng Sen's nephew was also named by the emperor and made to accompany him as a prince. If there is really any discrimination, it is absolutely impossible to become the prince's accompaniment.
What's more, the current Ming Emperor has great talents, strategies, and lofty ambitions. It is just when the Navy is about to show its talents, and it would be crazy to destroy these.
Besides, can you destroy it even if you want to? Not to mention the Zheng family's fleet in southern Fujian, at least Denglai Navy will definitely not just listen to the Zheng family's orders!
The most important thing is that the emperor has already figured out what you Japanese people are planning. Even if I'm dizzy, I can't form an alliance with you!
However, although Zheng Zhibao was thinking this in his heart, he did show a look of shock on the surface, and then he couldn't believe it. He took Tokugawa Iemitsu's handwritten letter and looked at it carefully. After confirming it again and again, he looked at it with an ecstatic expression. Matsudaira Nobutsuna said: "Won't you regret it?"
"Amaterasu, I will never regret it!" Matsudaira Nobutsuna was also overjoyed when he saw it, and immediately swore seriously.
After a moment of silence in the room, there was a burst of embarrassed laughter.
Then, after some discussion, the two took action separately.
Matsudaira Nobutsuna's reply to Tokugawa Iemitsu was that the Zheng family wanted Fujian and Guangdong provinces, but the final decision must be made by Zheng Yiguan. But nine times out of ten, there is no problem.
Hearing this, Tokugawa Iemitsu couldn't help laughing, and we will talk about the future in the future. As long as the Zheng family fleet does not harass the troops heading to North Korea in the early stage, it will have achieved its goal.
Naturally, he didn't know that this was the hole that the Ming Emperor had dug for his Japanese country, just waiting for him to jump out of it!
