In this decisive battle between the Daping Dynasty and the Manchu Qing Dynasty, Korea was a very important part of it.

During the Chongzhen period, the reason why the Manchu Qing Dynasty could enter the customs five or six times unscrupulously was because Yuan Chonghuan killed Mao Wenlong, resulting in the result that the Ming army in Dongjiang Town could not contain the Qing army.

Even in order to prevent the threat from the direction of Korea, Huang Taiji also sent a large army to conquer Korea twice, completely eliminating this hidden danger. So much so that Korea eventually changed its suzerainty, not only providing grain, grass, horses and supplies for the Manchus, but also sending troops to participate in the raids and plunders again and again. It can be said that North Korea was a fairly important weight in the war between the Pyongqing and Qing Dynasty.

The strategy of the Daping Dynasty to attack Korea this time was to rebuild Dongjiang Town, re-threaten the flank of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and prevent the Qing army from doing its best to devote itself to the decisive battle with the Daping Army. Of course, if North Korea can be subdued and surrendered, it will be a more perfect thing.

To this end, the Runing Army mobilized 20,000 men from a town of the Marine Corps, plus 5,000 guards from Chang Meng's reclaimed merchant house, to attack Korea and manage the looted Korean land and industry. And the Runing army has now gathered all the sea ships and fishing boats that can be collected from Shandong and Beizhili, and is ready to wait until the spring thaws to attack the Han River estuary from the sea.

However, the navigation in this era was quite dangerous, the weather on the sea was also unpredictable, and there were few ships in the north, and the quality of the ships was much inferior to that in the south.

Moreover, because this is a cross-sea operation, it is very inconvenient to replenish personnel and supply supplies. They also had to carry horses, heavy artillery and other baggage, so when they arrived at the end of the day, the ships of the Daping Army could transport up to 2,500 men and horses across the sea at a time.

Therefore. When Zheng Jiao met Wu Shigong in the first month, Wu Shigong did not speak ill of Zheng Jiao. On the contrary, he politely discussed with Zheng Jiao: he wanted Zheng Zhilong to return the eight sea ships he owned, and it was best to borrow more, so as to ensure that the Daping army would cross the sea at least once with 8,000 men and horses.

Because a group of more than 7,000 horses is a complete combat unit, it can support itself for a long time when it is lonely overseas, waiting for the arrival of its own reinforcements. In addition, summer is typhoon season, and it is quite dangerous to sail at sea. If you can hurry. The Daeping Army could transport all 25,000 men and horses to Korea in three batches before the summer.

Even if it was too late, only two batches of more than 15,000 horses were transported. Then the Daepyeong army will be more than enough to protect itself in North Korea, and it will be able to wait until the autumn to deliver it again. Wu Shigong would never want to risk his own soldiers.

And when Zheng Jiao heard Wu Shigong open his mouth to ask for a sea boat, he hurriedly laughed and said, "Your Majesty! In the next fortunate not to disgrace the life. My eldest brother said: Although the business is busy after the beginning of spring, as long as the emperor wants to use it. It's easy to say about sea boats. However, there are many people in Nanjing. My eldest brother can't go too far. Therefore, before the end of March, we will definitely send you twelve large ships with more than 300 materials, and there will be absolutely no problem with the eight ships you have stored in our Zheng family. ”

"Huh?" As soon as he heard this, Wu Shigong immediately put away his smile. Although there are now more than 20 large ships of more than 300 materials, the Daping army can transport more than 2,000 horses at most, which is far from the original shipping plan.

So Wu Shigong immediately opened his mouth and said, "Can't your Zheng family borrow more?" Rest assured by Zheng Hou, I will pay the fee. ”

"Your Majesty, forgive me!" Zheng Jiao argued with a smile. "Now the forces of all parties in the south are mixed, and there are often red-haired ghosts and yellow-haired ghosts on the sea. There are also pirate robberies from time to time. Therefore, in order to protect ourselves, the Zheng family must maintain a certain amount of maritime force. It's these twelve ships, all because of the old friendship with the emperor, that my eldest brother was able to save from between his teeth. ”

While this may sound like a good reason, it is not a real reason. After the beginning of spring, Zheng Zhilong's maritime business also opened, and it was a peak season for seafood sales. Japan, the West and other places that have been hungry and thirsty for a winter, and the price when picking up the goods is also high, so Zheng Zhilong will never give up this period.

Although Wu Shigong was willing to pay compensation, in order to maintain the sales channel, Zheng Zhilong refused to borrow more boats. For Zheng Zhilong, betting is secondary, and even the safety of the Zheng family is secondary, and the most important thing is one word - money. Zheng Zhilong's Zheng family is completely in the eye of money.

"No, it won't! Your Zheng family can only squeeze out so many boats? Although Wu Shigong smiled again, his expression was completely smiling, and there was a fierce look in his eyes.

And this gaze shot at Zheng Jiao's body, making him feel chills all over his body. Although Zheng Jiao was also born as an outlaw at sea, Wu Shigong was majestic at this time, and his body naturally exuded a strong domineering spirit.

"There's really nothing you can do." Zheng Jiao stiffened his head and said with a wry smile.

Wu Shigong didn't make a sound, just looked at Zheng Jiao for a while, and when Zheng Jiao already felt that his back was wet, Wu Shigong said: "Then that's it!" But the boat has to get there sooner. In early March to the port of Tianjin. That's no problem, right? ”

"Your Majesty! Really ......" Zheng Jiao immediately exclaimed.

Wu Shigong waved his hand and interrupted Zheng Jiao's words: "The port in the north can give you another Zheng family, which is also for the sake of the face of the old friend." But you Zheng family also have to show some sincerity. ”

"Thank you, Your Majesty! I'm going to urge it again. However, at most ten ships will come in the first half of the year, and the rest will arrive in the middle of the day as much as possible. I also worked hard in the next place, so that my eldest brother could think of a way to collect more ships for the emperor. Zheng Jiao said as he put down his heart.

"Since that's the case, then please ask Brother Zheng Qi." Wu Shigong picked up the teacup.

Today's conversation made Wu Shigong see the Zheng family's attitude clearly, so he didn't want to be more entangled with a dead face. It is very strange that although Zheng Zhilong did not meet Wu Shigong's request, he did not have any anger in his heart, but felt that there was a kind of contempt, contempt for Zheng Zhilong.

When Zheng Jiao retreated, Wu Shigong taught Xue Chenglin, who was watching politics beside him: "See, then the Zheng family is the overlord of the sea, and with its sea power, it can be the king overseas." The Zheng family has soldiers and money, and there is a naval fleet that others do not have, if they are dedicated to operating on the mainland, they can become an opponent in the Central Plains at the worst. Even if it is defeated, it can retreat overseas with its fleet. But Zheng Zhilong is so dazzled by his love for money, he has not expanded his strength for more than ten years, he just wants to bet on one side, and he wants to be so head at both ends. Half-heartedness is not counted, and it is not clear to see the situation in the world. Doesn't he know the truth? Without power, can't you keep your belongings no matter how much you earn? It's a shame. Although Zheng Zhilong is a hero on the sea, he is no longer afraid. (To be continued......)