Late Ming Dynasty: The Counterattack Begins with Sea Pirates

Chi Honghai smiled slightly and brought up the words he had said to Qiu Ling back then.

"I am the reincarnation of the Sea God, so I naturally know about things at sea."

It wasn't some kind of reincarnation of Haibo. It was just that before I traveled here, I happened to watch some history and science videos and happened to see that the British fleet would be sailing to Guangzhou this month.

As for why it was heading to Guangzhou, it was obviously for business.

The British wanted to rely on the Portuguese in Macau, but the Portuguese were under the control of the Guangzhou government and could not accept this, hence this foolish move.

Master Chi went into the tent arranged by Zheng Zhilong and lay down on the bed with peace of mind, while only Pang San and Shen Er were still in shock.

One day later.

A young boy pushed open the tent flap and went inside.

"Sir, it's time to go."

When Chi Honghai saw the young man in front of him, he felt a sense of familiarity, but he didn't know why he felt this way.

To say he's young and promising, although everyone calls him "Master," he's actually only in his early twenties.

The boy in front of me looked no more than fifteen or sixteen.

"May I ask who you are, young master?"

"My name is Zheng Sen."

Although Zheng Sen was young at this time, his spirit and appearance already showed promise.

"Sir, my father has instructed me to accompany you on this journey. The navy is fully prepared. Please proceed."

Zheng Sen turned to the side and used one hand to lift the tent flap.

Chi Honghai stepped out of the tent, and Zheng Sen walked beside him.

"My father said that you knew in advance that the British would raid Guangzhou. If that is true, it is a blessing for the people of the Ming Dynasty."

"Young master, you are young, yet you already care about the people; you are ambitious despite your youth."

"Sir, what are you saying? I was born in the Ming Dynasty. If I can accomplish something, it should be for the benefit of the people of the Ming Dynasty. What's wrong with that?"

Chi Honghai knew of Zheng Sen, a hero who, decades later, would reclaim Taiwan and fulfill the words he was saying now.

What he didn't expect was that he had already realized this at the age of thirteen.

You know, a normal thirteen-year-old is probably still playing house next to some muddy puddle.

Chi Honghai looked at the still young Zheng Sen in front of him and blurted out.

"Ming Yan is a blessing to the people."

When he heard the other person suddenly say his name, Zheng Sen stopped in his tracks, somewhat puzzled.

"How did you know my courtesy name, sir? Did my father inform you of it beforehand?"

Chi Honghai turned around, hooked his arm around his shoulder, and explained with a smile.

"I see that you are young and ambitious, understand the foundation of the world, and are capable of bearing its wisdom. You are concerned about the people and can shoulder its responsibility. Therefore, I came up with the words 'wise and dignified' from the bottom of my heart."

"I never expected that your courtesy name would actually be these two characters. It's a perfect match, a match made in heaven."

Chi Honghai's words left Zheng Sen somewhat confused, but he grasped the general meaning and didn't press further.

The two walked to the port, where a naval force was already lined up in position.

The massive wooden planks connected directly to the deck of the ship, and as the two walked on the connecting planks, the strong sea breeze made the ship's flags flutter.

The seagulls hovering on the masts began to fly back and forth around the entire fleet, influenced by the sea breeze and the sound of the flags.

The soldiers on the ship stood on both sides early on, holding long spears in their hands. The sunlight shining on the spear tips made the light reflected off them dazzling.

After the two people stepped onto the deck, the wooden planks behind them were removed.

Zheng Sen led Chi Honghai and his group to him.

"Father, Mr. Chi has arrived."

Zheng Zhilong turned around and looked at Chi Honghai, but he couldn't detect a trace of unease in the man's eyes and expression.

"Chi Honghai, you'd better believe it."

"I cherish my life and would never risk it to play games with the general."

Pang San and Shen Er had never seen such a scene before. Standing behind Chi Honghai, they trembled slightly, their palms and backs already sweating.

Zheng Sen stood on the ship, looking down from above.

He raised his hand and waved it forward.

"Set off!"

The bugle call sounded behind us, its long echo lingering throughout Kinmen Ridge.

In an instant, all the ships anchored near the harbor raised their sails.

The sight of sails rising at the same time left even Chi Honghai standing there dumbfounded.

It's spectacular, absolutely spectacular.

As the war drums sounded, the horns emitted sounds of varying lengths.

The entire fleet began to leave the port, and the flags on the ships were raised even higher.

Seeing Zheng Zhilong standing confidently and calmly at the bow of the ship.

Chi Honghai couldn't help but admire this former pirate tyrant, but more than that, he felt a deep sense of envy.

I envy him for having such a large family business and being able to command such a large fleet.

Naturally, I also envy his success in Liaoluo Bay four years ago.

After the fleet set sail.

Zheng Zhilong led Zheng Sen and Chi Honghai back to the command room.

"Mingyan".

"What are your instructions, Father?"

"What are your thoughts on this encounter with the British in Guangzhou?"

"Father, the British probably don't have the guts to capture Guangzhou. I think they'll just loot the surrounding area at most."

Listening to Zheng Sen's speech, Chi Honghai realized that Zheng Sen was unaware of the details of his previous conversation with Zheng Zhilong.

Although the specific analysis certainly goes beyond this.

After all, the British traveled thousands of miles to the East to do business. From a business perspective and considering the strength of the Far East, they were unlikely to be so reckless as to directly attack Guangzhou. They were not easy to deal with and could not be taken down. At most, they would just rob a few people and leave after failing to "trade by force".

"Chi Honghai, you were the one who suggested this, what do you say?"

Chi Honghai was lost in thought when he was called out to him.

"Oh...oh...Reporting to the General, the young master's insight is indeed as I said the other day."

Zheng Zhilong smiled with satisfaction.

"Mingyan, you've made great progress."

Zheng Sen bowed to Zheng Zhilong.

"It's all the result of my father's hard work."

But then Zheng Zhilong changed the subject.

"The British are going to plunder Guangzhou. We will not take any action at first, but wait until they have finished looting before we make our move."

Chi Honghai and Zheng Sen both glanced at Zheng Zhilong, who was sitting in the seat of honor.

But Chi Honghai didn't speak; he had no right to speak. By contradicting Zheng Zhilong, he was only asking for trouble.

Zheng Sen hesitated for a moment, then mustered his courage and spoke.

"Father, I have a question."

"Oh? What is it that you don't understand? Tell me."

"Were we fighting the British to stop them from looting Guangzhou? Why didn't Father intercept them beforehand, instead of waiting until they had plundered the surrounding area?"

Zheng Zhilong stood up, put his hands behind his back, and walked up to Zheng Sen.

"Mingyan, there are some things you don't understand now, and you don't need to worry about them."

"But wouldn't that make the common people suffer? Shouldn't we care about the people's affairs?"

Zheng Zhilong looked somewhat displeased, and then found a very reasonable excuse.

"If they don't make the first move, what reason do we have to intercept them?"

Zheng Sen was speechless for a long time before weakly replying, "I understand."