Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 181 Before I leave, I want to take Zheng Sen with me.
"I really want to buy a 10,000-ton cargo ship."

"It can roam the ocean without sails, and if it doesn't like someone, it can just chase after them and ram them into the ocean."

"They're fast enough, no one can escape them."

"It is made entirely of steel and no one can break it."

The wooden ship bobbed and swayed with the waves, and the guards around it looked uneasy, some even on the verge of vomiting.

Only Lin Dao remained unfazed and was able to express his feelings.

"It's such a pity that there's a lack of professional talent."

"Not to mention routine maintenance and fuel replenishment."

"Even if you drive it around, you can't find anyone."

Lin Dao was on a large fleet of ships heading south to Jinjiang, Fujian.

Zheng Zhilong, who effectively controlled most of Fujian, was a very pragmatic person.

Lin Dao urged him to surrender, and he immediately did so.

They still happily cast their ballots.

Marshal Lin's infamy had already spread throughout the world.

From the emperor down to the tax collectors and yamen runners, no one was spared.

Local gentry and powerful families were raided, with their homes and people confiscated along with the property.

Zheng Zhilong had originally planned to have his whole family board a ship and flee overseas.

Commander Kelin actually managed to persuade him to surrender!
This level of attention seems to be unique to the Guan Ning Army.

No, the Guan Ning Army surrendered voluntarily.

Zheng Zhilong was very pleased and took the initiative to invite Lin Dao's army to enter Fujian to cooperate in controlling the various prefectures.

They even concentrated their fleet between Kinmen and Xiamen, forbidding them from setting sail.

The various camps that took the land route have completely taken control of all parts of Fujian.

Lin Dao sailed south from Huating County, heading directly to Jinjiang to meet Zheng Zhilong.

"Unless someone forces me."

Looking up at the seagulls soaring in the sky, Lin Dao muttered to himself, "What if Zheng Zhilong were to betray me on the battlefield and send a fleet to ambush me?"

"If you dare to do that, I'll show you what a behemoth weighing tens of thousands of tons really looks like!"

“His son has the guts, but Zheng Zhilong probably doesn’t.”

Anhai Town, Jinjiang, Zheng Mansion.

Inside this super mansion covering more than 100 acres, a group of leaders from the Zheng Group are making preparations.

They were about to head to Sihanoukville to welcome Marshal Lin and were giving the gifts a final check.

"Brother," Zheng Zhibao exclaimed in astonishment, staring at the jade throne and golden Buddha statue that was over a foot tall before him. "Isn't this too tacky?"

To welcome Marshal Lin, Zheng Zhilong prepared many gifts.

Most of them are made of gold and silver.

At first glance, it is dazzlingly golden.

Eighteen Zhi and others expressed that these gifts were really too tacky.

"You don't understand."

Zheng Zhilong silenced everyone with a single sentence: "I must make the Commander-in-Chief think that I am just an ordinary person."

Looking at the clock not far away, Zheng Zhilong stood up. "It's almost time. Let's go greet Commander Lin."

The core members of the Zheng Group all stood up and followed.

Almost all of Zheng's core members are still there.

Only the eldest son, Zheng Sen, and his subordinate, Shi Lang, were far away in places like Dayuan.

He was also worried that Lin Dao would wipe them all out.

On the shore of Sihanoukville, the rebel army stationed there has sealed off the surrounding area.

Zheng Zhilong and his entourage, carrying gifts, quietly watched as ships docked one by one.

Most people were not in good spirits when they disembarked.

After all, the waves at sea are much larger than those in inland rivers and lakes.

When Lin Dao disembarked, he was full of energy and walked briskly, like a seasoned sailor.

He wasn't faking it, nor did he drink gunpowder; he was simply in good physical condition.

"Zheng Zhilong~~~"

A tall, imposing young man walked over, surrounded by a group of guards.

Zheng Zhilong knew that the person in charge had arrived, and immediately led everyone to perform a grand ceremony.

"Welcome, Commander-in-Chief!"

Lin Dao stepped forward and walked up to Zheng Zhilong.

Only then did he speak, "Stand up and talk."

"Thank you, Commander Xie~~~"

He has basically pacified all the major warlords in the land, although he has not yet declared himself emperor.

In reality, they were no different from emperors.

Zheng Zhilong understood the situation clearly and was extremely respectful.

Zheng Zhilong stood up, his head slightly lowered, his gaze fixed on his feet.

Lin Dao scrutinized him carefully.

He was dressed in the clothes of a wealthy man, and his slightly pale complexion indicated a prosperous appearance.

He didn't seem like an old sailor; he was more like a pampered tycoon.

Since taking control of maritime trade, Zheng Zhilong has basically never gone to sea again.

Living in a luxurious mansion in Jinjiang year-round, it's only natural that her skin became fairer and her body fuller.

"Nicholas, an official."

Lin Dao's question made Zheng Zhilong's heart tighten: "Where is your son?"

He was baptized in Australia and his Christian name was Nicholas Gaspard.

He later became the head of the group, and in the Minnan dialect, the head of the group is called "Yi Guan".

He is usually referred to as Zheng Yiguan, and very few people know that his given name is Nicholas.

As for his son...

Zheng Zhilong hurriedly called his sons forward.

"General, these are my sons Zheng Du, Zheng En, Zheng Yin, Zheng Xi, and Zheng Shimo."

Lin Dao looked at him with a half-smile.

"Please forgive me, General." Zheng Zhilong knew what he meant and quickly explained, "My eldest son, Zheng Sen, went to a high-ranking official's office on business, but he caught a cold and was unable to return in time."

"Jubaolou sells medicine for treating colds."

Lin Dao bluntly said, "Find a speedboat to pick up Zheng Sen. I need to see him before I leave."

"Yes yes~"

Zheng Zhilong, sweat beading on his forehead, responded repeatedly. He was a combination of a super merchant and a pirate, commanding thousands of ships and hundreds of thousands of men.

Many people think there's no need to be so subservient; at worst, they can just go to sea.

But this is the Chongzhen era, not hundreds of years later.

Overseas are all wild and untamed lands. How many people who cherish their homeland are willing to leave their homes forever?

Moreover, for these maritime merchants, the land was their true foundation.

Without land-based sources of goods, where would maritime trade come from?

No business means no money, and without money, you can't support a large fleet of ships.

Those who sail the seas have no loyalty to speak of.

With money comes loyalty; without money, who are you?

Zheng Zhilong understood this principle very well, so he acted with utmost sincerity.

"General~~"

Zheng Zhilong gestured to the many gifts he had brought, saying, "They are all common items, but please accept them, Commander."

"it is good."

Looking at the abundance of gold and silver before him, Lin Dao nodded in satisfaction. "I like it very much."

He really likes it.

With the recent surge in gold prices in the modern world, and the ease of selling gold, it is indeed his favorite thing.

The large entourage arrived at Zheng Zhilong's luxurious mansion in Anhai Town, Jinjiang.

Stepping into this enormous mansion covering over a hundred acres, Lin Dao casually remarked, "Doing maritime trade is indeed profitable."

In the modern world, a ship costing hundreds of millions can recoup its cost after just a few voyages. Maritime trade has always been an extremely profitable business.

Zheng Zhilong's heart tightened, and he quickly stated, "I am willing to offer it to the Commander-in-Chief."

"This is your home."

Lin Dao, laughing loudly, waved his hand and said, "Who would give away their own home?"

This place is indeed very beautiful.

The main building is a five-bay, thirteen-bay structure with a hip roof, featuring three entrances, two fire lanes, and five courtyards.

The side halls, pavilions, and terraces face each other, forming a screen around the entrance.

The area is surrounded by walls, interspersed with hills, pavilions, terraces, elegant houses, ponds, small bridges, winding paths, and exotic flowers and plants.

Upon arriving at the main hall, Lin Dao took his seat in the center.

The left side was filled with rebel generals, while the right side was occupied by high-ranking members of the Zheng family, led by Zheng Zhilong.

He was surrounded by many guards and armored soldiers.

Lin Dao didn't waste any words and went straight to the point.

"Regarding the Zheng family."

"My plan is to make you the pioneers in opening up the sea."

"Your current development team members are doing a great job, but it's not enough."

"First, drive away the Dutch from Dayuan, then use Ryukyu as a springboard to spy on Japan."

“The southern part of Australia will definitely be taken back, and the Luzon Prefecture occupied by the Spanish will also be taken back.”

"These people who come here to take risks are all scum and despicable people who have committed countless evils."

"Just eliminate them all."

Zheng Zhilong looked troubled.

The Japanese, the French (both large and small), and the red-haired people were all his business partners.
"If you are unwilling," Lin Dao said with a smile, "I will allow your entire clan to go to sea, to find land and become kings and overlords."

"No, no!" Zheng Zhilong hurriedly bowed. "You flatter me, General."

"We all follow the Commander's lead."

"The commander-in-chief has given the order, and we shall obey it."

If the commander-in-chief wants to fight, then fighting is the only option.

How long they fight and how they fight is entirely up to them.

After a long delay, they demanded military pay, and finally said they hadn't won the battle, so it wasn't a big deal.

Lin Dao smiled again and said, "I am a determined person."

"I have made up my mind to join the Age of Exploration and explore and occupy all the lands I can find."

"My resolve will not waver."

He took a breath and said, "Assigning you these tasks is to give you an opportunity."

"I have built numerous shipyards in various places and invested countless human and material resources, determined to build a fleet that surpasses the size of Zheng He's fleet in its time."

"Once this fleet is formed and sets sail, your Zheng family can transform into a private transportation company."

"I will review your progress before the fleet sets sail."

"All objectives have been achieved, and you will naturally reap the rewards."

"If one goal is not achieved, the benefits are halved."

"If nothing is accomplished."

At this point, Lin Dao stood up and glanced at everyone in the Zheng Group. "Then you all have no reason to exist."

His words were calm, but to Zheng Zhilong and the others they sounded like thunder.

Zheng Zhilong and his group were not stupid.

They understand all too well what the power of a nation truly means.

Once the nation mobilizes its resources to begin shipbuilding, a massive fleet can be built up within a few years.

While there may be some lack of experience, there is a constant stream of new resources and the ability to continuously expand the scale.

This is Zheng Zhilong's fleet, which cannot be compared in any way.

Lin Dao glanced at Zheng Zhilong, who was covered in sweat, and strode outside.

That's all I have to say. Please consider it carefully.

"I apologize for disturbing you today, farewell."

"By the way, I will be heading south to Lingnan in a few days. I need to take Zheng Damu with me before I leave."

The armor plates vibrated, clanging like thunder.

After Lin Dao left with a large number of armored soldiers, the members of the Zheng Group gathered around Zheng Zhilong, asking what to do.

"How to do?"

Zheng Zhilong sighed deeply, "What else can we do?"

"Either disobey orders and fight against the whole world with the strength of one family."

"Either do your job properly and find a way out for the future."

This wasn't a multiple-choice question; they had no choice at all.

With their roots all on the mainland, how could they possibly abandon their roots and flee overseas?
"Fifth brother, take a fast boat to Dayuan as soon as possible and bring Fusong back."

(End of this chapter)