Peerless Pirates

The young emperor Pang Ying wanted to deal with Huang Yuandu, and Song Zheng was not surprised to ask for immortality. He saw that Pang Ying Bingzheng was about to take over, and he was eager to take back more power from Huang Yuandu and Huang Jiao. However, Huang Yuandu had been in charge of the world for more than ten years, and he was very careful in political affairs. Therefore, the young emperor took advantage of Duke Pangtong's influence and began to reduce Huang Yuandu's power.

However, Song Zheng knew that Pang Tong had ulterior motives and that the little emperor's actions were tantamount to playing with fire. Pang Tong hid for more than ten years and secretly cultivated a lot of power with the help of the aloof status of the Duke's Palace. One mistake and the little emperor failed to seize power. , will cultivate a huge force that connects the military and government.

Song Zheng was worried that once Huang Yuandu resigned as prime minister and was completely defeated, Daqi would form a situation where the Pangtong family was the dominant family. The danger of this situation was much more dangerous than the struggle between Huang Yuandu and Prince Pang Hui for hegemony. Even It is much easier for Pang Tong to be disloyal than it was for Pang Hui.

Everything in Jiangning was complicated, and Cai Yong came one by one, which made Song Zheng even more anxious. The two talked for two hours, and Cai Yong seemed to have thought of something. He stood up in a hurry, clasped his hands in his fists and said, "Congratulations, sir, Madam passed away on the 20th of last month." The new baby will be named Song Xuan, and his baby name will be Liu’er.”

"What did you say?" Song Zheng was thinking about Jiangning's political affairs when Cai Yong suddenly said this and he couldn't recover for a moment.

"There is a new man in the house, and I named him Song Xuan." Cai Yong repeated it again, and said sheepishly, "Master Mu originally asked me to announce the good news to the young master, but just now I was busy talking about political affairs, so I forgot about this important matter. .”

Song Zheng was overjoyed. When he left Jiangning in July last year, Qian'er was already two months pregnant. According to the date, she should have given birth.

As a new father, Song Zheng's worries were swept away and he quickly asked about the situation of the Song Mansion. He learned that the new Song Mansion was completed as early as October last year. Since the money for the construction of the mansion had been allocated early, it had not been affected. The impact of the war. However, Song Jue was cautious and did not move into the new mansion until the beginning of this year. Pang Tong, Huang Yuandu and other officials came to the mansion to congratulate him. The young emperor also issued a decree to commend the Ministry of Industry who built the Song mansion. The father and son of the Song family The emperor's master, the holy family is prosperous, and the officials will naturally give them face. Although Song Jue and Song Zheng are not high-ranking, this kind of thing is not just measured by rank.

Song Zheng's son, Xiao Li'er, weighed six pounds and six taels when he was born, and was very cute with a tiger's head and a tiger's head. Although Song Zheng could not meet him, his heart was full of warmth, and his heart had already flown back to Jiangning.

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Early the next morning, Song Zheng woke up Tang Zhengsu and Xue Qimeng, who were still hungover, and told Jiang Ning that there was something important and they wanted to leave as soon as possible. Tang and Xue could not stop them, so they had to agree. Tang Zhengsu came forward to report to the governor of Gongzhou. The government merchant borrowed a small official ship and arranged for ten guards to follow Song Zheng. Song Zheng was naturally grateful but not sensitive.

The official ship sailed down the river and arrived at Fengjie in three days. Fengjie, as Lang Boyan's old nest, had been taken over and cleared by generals sent by Lang Zhengchun for more than a month. Even so, Fengjie Pass was still very tightly guarded.

Song Zheng stayed here for a day and met Bei Leye, who was discussing the affairs of Huitong Trading Company. He was full of joy when the brothers met. Song Zheng learned that since Lang Zhengchun had given the order long ago, the negotiation between the two parties went very smoothly. Currently, Huitong Trading Bank is under construction and is expected to be officially open for business in June.

On April 27th, Song Zheng went down the river.

The river was turbulent, but fortunately the sailors on the boat were all experienced people, so they arrived at Zigui in just two days. To Song Zheng's surprise, Tian Jinchang and Zu Jie were both here. Fan Zhitong, who was stationed here, also summoned Song Zheng met.

"Master Song, please!" Fan Zhitong personally greeted Song Zheng at the door of the Military Envoy's Mansion, which made Song Zheng feel flattered.

"Sir Fan, how could this junior be so virtuous and capable, yet it is my duty to greet you here!" Song Zheng was naturally polite.

Fan Zhitong laughed and said, "Sir Song went to Shu alone and made great achievements with his own efforts. He will naturally be a good husband of the Ming Dynasty." Immediately, he took Song Zheng's arm and entered the house together.

When the guests and hosts were seated, Fan Zhitong naturally asked about the situation in Chengdu. As the military envoy on the right side of Shuguan, Fan Zhitong naturally paid special attention to Shu. Some news from Chengdu Prefecture also reached Zigui. It was difficult to tell whether it was true or not, so Fan Zhitong naturally wanted to ask An understanding.

There was nothing to hide. Song Zheng briefly told the story and hid the details of Luan Hui and his agreement with Jiang Kui. Even so, Fan Zhitong still sighed with emotion.

The topic quickly changed to the situation in Daqi. A figure of Fan Zhitong's level is naturally very comparable. However, he did not have as deep a sense of the Duke's mansion as Song Zheng did. Like many senior officials, Fan Zhitong also believed that the 70-year-old The appointment of Pang Tong as Taiwei was nothing more than a transition of the Qi Dynasty. The existing military adjustments were just to lay the foundation for Pang Ying to formally rule next year. After a year or two, Pang Ying would completely take control of the real power. The military and political affairs of Da Qi will be stabilized.

In his opinion, Pang Hui's elimination of redundant troops and generals last year and the emperor's current adjustment of officials in the name of free salary are of the same origin, both of which are preparations for Pang Ying's administration.

Song Zheng and Fan Zhitong didn't get along for a long time. Although they were friends from the same hometown, they didn't have a close friendship. It was naturally difficult to say some words. After talking about it for a while, Song Zheng had to say calmly, "Master Fan, have you ever interacted with Xijingguan?" Have you ever dealt with Governor Yang?"

"We met twice a few years ago, but we don't have any deep friendship. However, Mr. Yang's military management and military use are the true inheritance of Marshal Han at that time, and he is considered a famous general of our Qi Dynasty. This time to go to Xijing Pass, it is more appropriate."

Song Zheng nodded, "Qiao Zhenchuan, Governor Qiao, Sir Fan must also understand."

"This..." Fan Zhitong hesitated and did not speak. Qiao Zhenchuan was a victim of the purge in the army. Not only did he not win the position of Taiwei, he was also stripped of his official hat and was forced to "resign himself to old age." Although Fan Zhitong was very sympathetic, he It's not easy to say it clearly in front of Song Zheng.

Song Zheng smiled, "Do you know about Mr. Cong Kui and Mr. Liang Shouxin?" Cong Kui and Liang Shouxin are now clearly in charge of the city guard and the capital guard, and control the capital's military. Song Zheng also wants to sideline Find out what Fan Zhitong means.

Fan Zhitong looked embarrassed. If it was a foreign war, Fan Zhitong would be open-minded, but when it came to internal fighting, Fan Zhitong still didn't know how to open his mouth. In fact, he didn't know the personalities of Cong Kui and Liang Shouxin. Even if they didn't interact with each other, they would always be I have heard that Cong Kui's daughter married Pang Ting, the direct grandson of the Duke of Guo, and that Liang Shouxin was also backed by a family from Jiangnan. In the position of Governor of Shipping, it was rumored that he was associated with sea bandits, and his official reputation was not very good.

Song Zheng didn't press any questions, he just lowered his head and drank tea, observing Fan Zhitong's face from time to time.

After a long while, Fan Zhitong said, "I heard that Ling Yue has been appointed as the Zuo Commander of the Du Wei Army. It's really gratifying and congratulatory!"

Song Zheng suddenly felt enlightened. He wanted to find out what Fan Zhitong meant, and Fan Zhitong didn't want to find out the details about Song Zheng.

After thinking for a moment, Song Zheng chuckled and said, "Old Taishan, I have some advantages in working in Jiangning, that is, I can be closer to my children."

Fan Zhitong was stunned for a moment, and looked at Song Zheng meaningfully, only to see Song Zheng stirring the floating tea on the tea lid, with a face that seemed to be smiling but not smiling. Fan Zhitong seemed to have some realization.

Song Zheng did not continue the previous topic, but changed his subject, "I went to Shu last year, and competed with Na Lang Boyan in Fengjie. My skills astounded everyone, and I have become a great general. When I return, I will report it to the Ming Dynasty. Give me a big reward. I came from the Kingdom of Shu, and the ten guards around me are all Shu warriors. This time I want Zujie to escort me and come to Jiangning to accept the reward. I hope Lord Fan will allow it."

After the official ship of the Shu Kingdom arrived at Zigui, it stopped sailing forward and returned to the Shu Kingdom. Song Zheng proposed that Fan Zhitong send someone to escort them, which was fine.

Fan Zhitong thought for a moment, then quickly smiled and said, "Even if Mr. Song doesn't say anything, I will still send someone to send him off. Since Mr. Song is familiar with Zu Jie, I will send Zu Jie. It just so happens that Zu Jie already has two He hasn’t been back to his hometown to visit relatives in two years, so this time I’ll give him a three-month leave and let him go home and take a look.”

"Then thank you Lord Fan." Song Zheng quickly thanked him. He had already made up his mind to leave Zujie in Jiangning. Together with Yang Dong who was still in the city guard, Gu Zhengjie, Shi Cunbao and others, it could be considered that My own arms. When I reported the affairs of Huitong Trading Company to the little emperor, I mentioned them. Therefore, after they passed the Zhongwu Jinshi exam last year, they were named by the little emperor to stay in Jiangning and entered the city guard respectively. Army and Guards Army.

If possible, Song Zheng even wanted to transfer Tian Jinchang, Xin Yu, and Lu Hong to Jiangning to deal with possible crises. Unfortunately, Song Zheng could not control the Ministry of War and could not gather all his good brothers together.

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On the first day of May, a merchant ship more than ten feet long left Zigui and went down the river. The sails were spread wide and the ship was moving very fast. On the big flag on the bow, the word "Huitong" fluttered in the wind.

Song Zheng refused the official ship arranged by Fan Zhitong and instead borrowed a ship from Huitong Trading Company. This time Zu Jie selected twenty soldiers to follow Song Zheng eastward. Zu Jie taught them all their archery skills. have to.

Song Zheng, Zu Jie and the other sergeants all changed into casual clothes. When they stopped to rest along the way, they did not go ashore and were handled by people from the trading house. As we all know, Huitong Trading House was considered a royal business, and there were not many people checking along the way, compared to officials. The boat was even more convenient. After walking like this for five days, everyone arrived at the west dock of the city.

According to Song Zheng's instructions, the ship controlled its speed and docked at the Huitong Trading Pier in the west of Jiangning City when it was dark on the fifth day of May. Song Zheng, Zu Jie, and Cai Yong secretly went ashore and arrived at the Manor in the west of the city.

Due to the departure of Gu Zhengjie and Shi Cunbao, the manor is quite quiet. However, Mu Yu has set this place as one of the training bases for the secret soldiers of Yousi. It is usually guarded by confidants. Cai Yong, Liu Mao, and Yuan Zhang are also usually guarded. He often rested here, so everyone entered the garden with ease. Cai Yong quickly arranged Zu Jie's men.

After everyone had dinner, Song Zheng ordered Cai Yong to call the warehouse of Huitong Trading Company and Lu Chun. Although Song Zheng was anxious to go home to see his son, he still wanted to inquire about the recent situation clearly before entering Jiangning City.

Half an hour later, Cai Yong came back with a man. As soon as the man entered the door, he knelt on the ground with a plop, "Master Song, hurry up, save my master!"

The visitor turned out to be Lu Dafu's confidant.