The sails meet the scorching sun, and the fleet cuts through the waves.
Hu Dinggui took out the binoculars and saw that there was a big island connected to the land in the distance, so he asked, "Is that the Phi Island where Gudongjiang Town is located?"
A merchant smiled and explained: "General, Phi Island is still further north."
"How is Phi Island now?" Hu Dinggui asked again.
The merchant replied: "There are only a few places in Phi Island that can grow food, and they can't support too many people. After the Dan slaves captured Phi Island, they sent troops to garrison for a while, but they gave up soon. North Korea took the opportunity to take Phi Island back."
The merchant's surname is Meng, and his name is Meng Huaien.
This fellow sold cotton from Shandong to Zhenjiang. Due to the Caobing uprising in the north, Meng Huai'en was temporarily unable to return to his hometown, so he was hired by Hu Dinggui as a translator and guide.
"Did you often go to Phi Island?" Hu Dinggui asked.
Meng Huai'en explained: "When Mao was in town, Phi Island was full of business travelers. Ming merchants brought silk, blue cloth, and North Korean merchants brought ginseng, leather goods, and rice grains. After the two parties traded on Phi Island, North Korean merchants shipped goods Go to Zhongjiang, and the Tartars will buy Ming goods from North Korea."
"What about now?" Hu Dinggui asked again.
Meng Huai'en said: "I can't do business now. Since the lord of North Korea surrendered the Tartars, North Korea has been capricious and often intercepted and killed merchants from the Ming Dynasty. I used to come to Phi Island for trade, but now I can only make a living in China. , I¡¯m afraid we won¡¯t be able to do domestic business in the future.¡±
Just as the two were talking, thick smoke billowed up from Jianghua Island in the distance as a warning.
The Zheng family's fleet sailed for a while, and the North Korean Navy came from behind Jianghua Island.
The Zheng family fleet has six warships and ten armed merchant ships.
The Korean Navy has a total of more than 30 warships, most of which are turtle boats and plank boats.
Turtle Ship let a small boat over and shouted in Korean: "Which country's fleet is it?"
Meng Huai'en replied: "Daming Zhao Tianwang!"
"The Daming Fleet is not allowed to come to North Korea for business!" The North Korean kept making small movements, pointing to the south with his hand on his chest, probably wanting the Chinese fleet to trade further south.
They didn't dare to offend Man Qing, but wanted to do business with Ming, so they smuggled them quietly in the southern port of Hanyang.
Meng Huai'en understood, and turned around to explain to Zheng Sen, Hong Xu, and Hu Dinggui.
As the leader of the fleet, Hong Xu said with a sneer: "These Koreans really have no eggs, and they dare not buy or sell goods in their own capital."
The Zheng family fleet turned its sails and turned around, and the North Korean navy immediately followed up.
A little farther away from Jianghua Island, the small boat rowed over and was hoisted onto the battleship by ropes.
The North Korean envoy said: "Brothers from the Tang Dynasty, let's go to Dafu Island, and I will guide you. Please also fire a few cannons into the sea to make the sound of naval battles, all for Jinnu to see."
Hong Xu laughed dumbfounded, and ordered: "Fire a few shots at the sea!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The Zheng family fleet fired indiscriminately, and the North Korean navy followed suit. The shells fell on the sea and splashed a lot of water.
Before reaching Dafu Island, the North Korean asked to turn around and drove to an estuary on the bank.
At the same time, he asked the Zheng family what commodities they had brought, asked for a detailed list, and took a boat to the shore to contact merchants.
The next morning, countless offshore fishing boats came to buy the goods brought by the Zheng family.
Some merchants didn't have enough money, so they simply bartered, mostly ginseng and leather goods, and asked the Zheng family if they needed grain and copper ingots.
Hu Dinggui said to Hong Xu: "General Hong, as much grain and copper ingots as you want, you can purchase them when you transport them to the Jiangnan government."
Immediately, someone asked about medicinal materials, especially fragrant medicines, which are not produced in North Korea.
After tossing for half a month, the goods transported were emptied, and food and fresh water were replenished, and then they were fully loaded with North Korean goods and headed south.
These North Korean sailors seem pitiful, and they dare not even engage in serious trade.
In fact, it is very hateful. If the Zheng family's fleet is not strong enough, it will be robbed by the North Korean navy.
Before leaving, Hu Dinggui specifically inquired about the news: "I heard that Jeju Island can buy horses?"
The merchant replied: "The horses and cattle in Jeju Island are all tributes. Jeju shepherds have no right to sell them, and must obtain the permission of the king."
The tribute is not a tribute to the Ming Dynasty, nor is it a tribute to the Qing Dynasty, but Jeju Island is a tribute to the King of Korea.
It was a place where prisoners were exiled, and the former king of North Korea was now raising horses on Jeju Island.
Hu Dinggui asked again: "How many cattle and horses can Jeju Island pay tribute every year?"
? North Korean merchants replied: "The annual tribute horse 2"Who is it?" "Li Hun was even more confused.
Meng Huaien said: "Zhao Tianwang has already occupied half of the Ming Dynasty."
Daming rebels?
Li Hui suddenly trembled with fear, puffed his knees and said, "Meet the general!"
Hu Dinggui said: "Tell this person that he wants to go back to be the king of the country, and he will be obedient. I just want Jeju Island to raise horses, and I don't care who is the king of North Korea."
Meng Huai'en translated: "His Royal Highness, General Hu said that he wants Jeju Island as a land for raising horses. If the Lord can appease the army and herdsmen on the island, he will help the Lord return to the country when Zhao Tianwang wins the Great Ming Dynasty."
"Thank you, General," Li Hui said ecstatically, kneeling on the ground, "Can the General lead the troops to Jianghua Island to save the son?"
Li Hun is sixty years old, and has been exiled and under house arrest for many years. His physical condition has always been poor. He wants to bring his son over as a puppet.
Hu Dinggui said ambiguously: "As long as you do things for me with all your heart, I will consider saving the son of the king of North Korea."
Li Hui was so excited that tears filled his eyes, and kowtowed to Hu Dinggui on the spot.
This old man didn't have a good opinion of Daming. When he was established as the heir, Wanli was considering abolishing the elders and establishing the younger ones, and somehow got involved in the battle of Daming's crown prince.
Just because Li Hui is not the eldest son.
North Korea asked Daming for the establishment of an eldest son three times in a row, but was rejected by the civil officials of Ming Dynasty, and insisted that North Korea establish an eldest son.
?From the son of Joseon to the king of Joseon, within 14 years, Daming refused the canonization five times, and finally the Ministry of Rites paid a lot of money to get permission. This is unprecedented for North Korea; it is a great shame and humiliation for Li Hui.
Li Hui was afraid that Daming would change his mind, so he could only imprison his queen mother and slaughter his brothers, so that he could be king with peace of mind.
Daming deserved it for its subjugation, this Zhao Tianwang is not bad.
Li Hui hoped that Zhao Tianwang would quickly aspire to the Central Plains, and then send troops to escort him to Hanyang to become king