Late Ming Dynasty: The Counterattack Begins with Sea Pirates

Wu Wanruo initially thought she had said something wrong, but after hearing Chi Honghai say it wasn't about that, she didn't ask any further questions.

She walked quickly in front of Chi Honghai.

"Do as you wish."

Chi Honghai looked at Miss Wu in front of him, reached out and stroked her face, and nodded.

"I may have to go out again soon."

"Didn't you just get back?"

"To live, to survive, for you, there are some doors we have no choice but to leave."

"Be extra careful when you go out."

After escorting Wu Wanruo back to her room, Chi Honghai called over Pang San and Shen Er, who then led him to a secluded wooden house where only one person lived.

Pushing open the door, a damp and gloomy smell hit him. A ray of sunlight finally shone in, shining on his face so brightly that he couldn't open his eyes and could only squint to see who was coming in.

"It's not even lunchtime yet! What, are you planning to kill me? Hurry up! I can't take it anymore!"

Chi Honghai looked at the person being supported and said something indifferently.

"Young Master Qiu (Qiu Ling), how have you been staying at my humble abode these past few days? Have you been satisfied with the food?"

"Pah, Chi Honghai, if you have the guts, just kill me! What's the point of locking me up here and torturing me?"

"Kill you? That would be too kind of you; you're quite useful."

Chi Honghai turned his head and gestured for Pang San to untie him.

"Take it to the ship."

On the deck of the cargo ship, Shen Er asked Chi Honghai.

"Sir, where are we going? Why aren't the brothers who are training on board?"

"It's not like we're going out to rob an official ship, why are we calling them aboard?"

"So what is this...?"

"Don't ask."

Chi Honghai tapped on the side of the boat and shouted to the helmsman.

"Kinmen!"

The helmsman couldn't believe his ears for a moment and didn't move until Chi Hung-hai emphasized again, "To Kinmen!" before he started turning the helm.

Shen Er and Pang San were even more nervous, wondering what their master was up to this time.

After all, Kinmen is Zheng Zhilong's territory.

Although he was also a pirate, he had long since submitted to the imperial court and become the local tyrant of Fujian, making a fortune by collecting tolls every year and living a very comfortable life.

But if pirates ruin his business, the consequences will be dire. Coincidentally, we ourselves are pirates, so this is like sending ourselves into the tiger's mouth.

"Master, we mustn't go to Kinmen. If we go there, we'll just be walking into their trap," Shen Er warned.

Chi Honghai, on the other hand, was nonchalant, leaning against the deck and enjoying the sea breeze.

Do you think your patriarch is the kind of person who would rather forgo a good life than choose to die?

"Well... that's not it, but Zheng Zhilong is a man who can't tolerate any nonsense... If we go..."

"Don't worry, I have my own plans."

A few days later, Chi Honghai, along with Qiu Lingkai, arrived in Kinmen with his plans.

The cargo ship sailed past the front of Kinmen Port, and since it did not display the command flag issued by the Zheng family, it was naturally stopped by the patrolling sailors.

Chi Honghai slipped two silver ingots to the soldiers he met.

"Sir, consider this money a token of my respect. Please inform Lord Zheng," Chi Honghai said, patting the boat as he spoke. "I've brought this gift for Lord Zheng; he'll surely appreciate it."

Having received a silver ingot, the officer naturally had to carry out his duties. He instructed someone nearby to keep an eye on Chi Honghai while he went back to inform Zheng Zhilong.

Zheng Zhilong, who was in the government office, did not show much interest when he heard that a ship had come to pay tribute.

After all, these days, there are just too many people offering tributes to you, and sometimes you even have to wait in line.

However, after hearing that the ship was not flying the flag he had issued and that it was saying something that would surely satisfy him, he became somewhat interested.

Not displaying their own flag indicates they haven't paid the fee beforehand; being able to drive over directly shows considerable boldness, so the gift they receive will naturally be substantial.

After waiting on the ship for a while, the sailor who brought the message finally returned.

"The General has summoned you. Please come with me."

"Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir." Chi Honghai bowed and thanked him, then clenched his right fist and slammed it against his left palm.

Meeting Zheng Zhilong is half the battle won.

Upon seeing Zheng Zhilong in person, Zheng Zhilong on the stage looked at Chi Honghai, who was dressed in a rather unglamorous manner, and for a moment, he couldn't figure out what abilities he could possibly have. However, the person tied up behind him did catch his attention.

"This humble subject, Chi Honghai, pays his respects to Your Excellency."

"Tell me, what did you bring?"

Chi Honghai looked left and right, but didn't say anything.

"You may all leave."

After everyone had left...

Chi Honghai then spoke, "Lord Zheng, this is the person I've come to deliver the gift for."

As he spoke, he grabbed Qiu Ling, who was tied up.

"This is Qiu Ling, the brother-in-law of the magistrate of Xin'an County, who also has some connections with the prefect of Guangzhou. A few days ago, I learned that Qiu Ling was using his official position to engage in illicit dealings with foreigners."

"You scoundrel, how dare you slander the imperial court! Drag him out!" Zheng Zhilong shouted from the platform.

"My lord, please calm your anger. My evidence is irrefutable. As far as I know, the British have been secretly colluding with the Guangzhou government and are planning to rob the people of Guangzhou at the end of this month. My lord, please see the truth!"

Zheng Zhilong looked at Chi Honghai below the stage, who was speaking quite eloquently, and stroked his beard.

"How did you find out about this?"

"Sir, I do indeed engage in maritime piracy, but I only rob goods belonging to the Guangzhou government. I have always admired you, and I know that you have a long-standing feud with the Guangzhou government officials because of maritime matters."

"During a robbery, I discovered the brother-in-law of the magistrate of Xin'an County on the ship. After interrogation, I learned that they had committed treason. I think if this matter could be of use to Lord Zheng, it might be possible to further suppress the arrogance of the Guangzhou government."

Chi Honghai's words hit the nail on the head. Although Zheng Zhilong controlled the southeast coast, the sea area of ​​Guangzhou Prefecture was not under his jurisdiction.

In addition, the officials of Guangzhou Prefecture had always been at odds with him, so he had insufficient control over these sea areas or the territory of Guangzhou Prefecture.

If the news is indeed as Chi Honghai said, then I would have a reason to submit a memorial impeaching the Guangzhou Prefecture. Or I could simply use this matter to gain leverage over the Guangzhou Prefecture.

How can we confirm that the Guangzhou government participated?

"Sir, this Qiu Ling is the brother-in-law of the Xin'an County Prefect and has connections with the Guangzhou Prefect. Now that he's here, if he signs the document, the Guangzhou Prefecture will be hard-pressed to escape responsibility."

Zheng Zhilong gave a meaningful laugh; he knew what Chi Honghai was implying.

It doesn't matter whether this person is actually colluding with the British or not, as long as he is really connected with Guangzhou Prefecture, the British will really come to Guangzhou Prefecture to rob it.

"Tell me, what do you want?"

Chi Honghai knelt on the ground and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zheng Zhilong.

"I dare not presume to ask for your reward, sir. I have come here only out of respect for you. However, my act of robbing an official ship in Guangzhou Prefecture is likely to attract the attention of the authorities. I humbly request to serve under Lord Zheng."

"You think it's enough to do things using my name?"

"Rest assured, sir. If I am caught in the act, I will never mention you. However, I would appreciate it if you would mention in public that I was on guard duty on a remote island in Guangzhou Prefecture."

As for the reason, simply use the pretext of preventing foreigners from wreaking havoc in the Southeast. Any small gains afterwards will go to the higher-ups!

Zheng Zhilong waved his hand.

"If the information you provide is true, you only need to contribute 30%. But if the information is incorrect, you know the consequences."

"I understand, I will never risk my life to play this joke on Lord Zheng."

"Alright!" Zheng Zhilong stood up and shouted, "Someone come here!"

"Take this bound man away!"

After Qiu Ling was taken away, Zheng Zhilong spoke to Chi Honghai.

"You will stay here and sail with the fleet for the next few days to see if your news is true."

"Yes, sir!"

After the conversation ended, Pang San and Shen Er walked out of the government office covered in sweat and their voices trembled slightly.

"Master...how did you know...that these foreigners would be going to Guangzhou in the next few days?"