Chen Dachang walked out of the temple.
Several godsons and godgrandsons gathered around him.
"Godfather, are you just giving up like this? Do you want your son to go in and teach that woman a lesson?"
Chen Dachang snorted coldly, "Don't make things complicated. Just wait and see, sooner or later she will come to our family and beg for mercy."
Chen Dachang rushed all the way back to the city.
Rong Xin has been waiting for a long time.
"Eunuch Chen, Madam has sent a letter. She is dissatisfied with our progress in Jiangnan, and is particularly dissatisfied with our overseas operations."
Chen Dachang took the letter and began to read it.
He frowned and said, "Eunuch Rong should report the overseas situation to Madam truthfully. Our overseas docks, warehouses, shipyards, and granaries have been repeatedly attacked by local natives. The slow progress is not what we want, but we are helpless."
Rong Xin said slowly, "Don't worry, Eunuch Chen. I have already reported the overseas situation to Madam. Madam has already made arrangements. This time, along with the letter, there are also two thousand guards."
Chen Dachang was shocked. "Two thousand guards? Where did so many people come from?"
Rong Xin smiled and said, "There are recruited veterans, purchased prisoners of war, miners, and some fishermen. Eunuch Chen, don't worry, these two thousand guards have already passed the clear route, and there is no problem with their identities.
These people used to do bloody jobs. They had already been training in Shuize for nearly six months before coming here, so they were familiar with the water and could easily survive long-term on the water.
Chen Dachang let out a long sigh. "They've already been training for half a year. This means Madam has had this plan for a long time."
Rong Xin reminded him quietly, "Eunuch Chen, have you forgotten? Madam said in person that we should establish our own guard team. These two thousand people are the first batch, and more people will be sent over later."
With these two thousand men, we only need to wait for an auspicious day, and then Eunuch Chen will personally lead them out to sea to slaughter all the overseas natives. "My lady said, since the overseas natives won't listen to our teachings, we'll slaughter them until rivers of blood flow, until they're terrified, until they're pissing themselves in terror."
Chen Dachang stared at Rong Xin, "Madam asked us to go to sea?"
"Don't you think Eunuch Chen wants to go to sea? Don't you think you want to make great achievements? Don't you think you want to personally lead two thousand guards to slaughter those natives and make them shed rivers of blood?"
"Of course we do! What about you, Eunuch Rong? How will Madam arrange for you?"
"I will go to sea with Eunuch Chen and follow his instructions."
Chen Dachang was surprised.
Does Gu Jiu trust him so much?
He was actually allowed to lead the team, and even Rong Xin had to follow his arrangements?
While Chen Dachang was filled with doubts, he was also filled with pride.
Who among the good men does not want to achieve great things, expand territory, and colonize overseas?
Chen Dachang couldn't hide his excitement.
Although the decision to go to sea was a bit hasty, although two thousand people seemed a little too few, and although he had doubts in his heart, he was willing to make this trip and take the risk.
"Alright! I will accept Madam's arrangement and lead these two thousand men out to sea to kill him without a single survivor."
"Eunuch Chen is so generous."
Next, we need to prepare to go to sea.
Two thousand guards were taken directly to the island to adapt to life at sea first.
Inland lakes and rivers are not the sea.
Being able to live freely on inland waters for a long time does not mean that you can adapt to life at sea.
Chen Dachang was busy forming a fleet and preparing sources of goods.
Three days before departure, the gift arranged by Gu Jiu finally arrived.
Ten 5,000-jin brass cannons were installed on the ship, enough to fight against pirates.
Chen Dachang looked at the brass cannon and could not hide the shock on his face.
"Where did you get all this? How come we didn't know that Madam Zhao was actually in the arms business?"
Rong Xin smiled, put his hand on the brass cannon and stroked it gently, as if he was caressing his lover.
He said casually, "Madam, of course, is not involved in the arms business. But a few foreigners were captured from the farm in the south, and they were willing to do anything to survive.
Several of the Yi people were skilled in casting cannons. Adhering to the principle of recycling waste, my wife had them cast cannons, and unexpectedly, they actually succeeded. These ten bronze cannons are the second batch of finished products, and their performance is even superior.
Chen Dachang immediately grasped the key question: "Where were the first batch of brass cannons sent?"
Rong Xin shook his head, "It's useless!"
"Waste?" Chen Dachang didn't understand.
Rong Xin said solemnly, "The first batch of brass cannons was extremely prone to exploding and was very unsafe. It didn't meet Madam's requirements, so they were all scrapped. Tens of thousands of pounds of brass was wasted. Actually, it wasn't a big deal. The brass that was mixed with impurities could be sold to the Minister of the Imperial Household for a bit of money."
Chen Dachang was shocked.
He knew that Gu Jiu was playing big, but he didn't expect it to be so big.
Even cannons were cast.
Rong Xin continued, "According to Madam's plan, once we reach the overseas shipyard, we'll unload all these cannons and place them in the shipyard's arrow towers. If the local natives dare to attack, we'll just bomb them to death. But the prerequisite for all this is that we have to successfully pass through the sea route blocked by pirates."
Chen Dachang said with a serious expression, "Li Hailong reached an agreement with the Jiangnan Grand Military Governor's Office. Instead of causing trouble near the coast, he went overseas to cause trouble for his own people. He's really a piece of shit."
Rong Xin laughed. "It can't be helped. The navy can only operate near the coast right now and can't go into the ocean. Once we get there, we'll have to rely on ourselves and the two thousand guards behind us. We're all men living on the edge of life, so Eunuch Chen must make good use of us. Our lives are in your hands."
"Don't worry, Master Rong. We know the seriousness of the matter."
Three days later, it will be an auspicious day, suitable for traveling.
Chen Dachang led a fleet of twenty cargo ships out of the harbor and headed south to overseas shipyards.
The fleet sailed along the coast and everything went smoothly.
After passing Lingnan and entering the deep sea, the atmosphere on board became tense.
Everyone who makes a living at sea knows that in the past two or three years, the pirates led by Li Hailong have been active in the deep sea.
They used islands as their bases, moved flexibly, and robbed cargo ships, leaving no one alive. The only way to save one's life was to surrender and become a pirate, or to sell the pirates' stolen goods.
When did the battle begin? Many people have vague memories when they recall it later.
I only clearly remember the horns blowing and the cannons roaring.
The ship was like a small boat on the sea, swaying violently.
The pirates' equipment has been updated, and they are even equipped with cannons.
Both sides fired artillery shells and bombarded each other, and no one could gain an advantage.
The battle started at noon and lasted until dusk.
Thanks to the bravery of two thousand guards, they finally repelled the pirates' brutal attack.
However, each family knows its own business.
After the battle, 30% of the 2,000 guards were killed, resulting in heavy losses.
Chen Dachang was leaning against the cabin door, covered in blood.
He was injured and blood was gushing out.
If the bleeding is not stopped in time, he will die here and his body will be thrown into the sea.
Rong Xin walked towards Chen Dachang, his body covered in blood, but it was all the blood of the enemy.
He squatted down and pressed on Chen Dachang's wound, but did not rush to treat him.
Chen Dachang opened his mouth wide and stared at Rong Xin. "Do you want to kill my family? Today is a good opportunity. You can kill my family without anyone knowing, and my wife won't hold you accountable afterwards."
Rong Xin slowly shook his head, "Eunuch Chen misunderstood, I never intended to kill you."
"Then what are you doing now? If you don't want to kill me, why don't you treat me? Do you want to watch me die from excessive blood loss?"
Chen Dachang gasped and questioned angrily.
Rong Xin shook his head again, "Father-in-law, just answer me one question, and I will stop the bleeding immediately."
After saying this, he took out a porcelain bottle from his arms and said, "This contains a hemostatic medicine prepared by my wife's exclusive secret recipe. With this medicine, even the most serious injuries can be cured."
Chen Dachang's pupils widened as he stared at the medicine bottle in Rong Xin's hand. "Hahaha... ahem... did Madam tell you to do this? Madam arranged all of this, right? Madam was behind everything, right? The whole time we were on the ship and got hurt, it was all Madam's doing, right?"
"Yes and no! Madam only arranged for Eunuch Chen to get on board, but she didn't arrange for you to get injured. I can only say that God is on Madam's side." Rong Xin said seriously.
Chen Dachang sneered, "Before I boarded the ship, I was still thinking that there might be some accidents on this trip. And sure enough, it happened. I just didn't expect that the person who plotted against me would be Madam. Tell me, what exactly does Madam want to ask?"
Rong Xin said solemnly: "Madam, I only have one question. Madam, you want to know why Mr. Gu died."
Chen Dachang's face changed drastically. Without thinking, he retorted, "How could we possibly know why Mr. Gu died? If you want to kill us, why bother with so much nonsense? Just throw us into the sea."
Rong Xin shook his head. "Eunuch Chen has misunderstood. Madam never intended to kill you. Madam has always said that Eunuch Chen is a man of great talent and that we must protect his safety. Overseas colonization depends on Eunuch Chen's talents. All of us combined are no match for Eunuch Chen."
Chen Dachang laughed sarcastically, "What's the point of saying this now?"
Rong Xin sighed and took out a sealed letter from his arms.
"This is a handwritten letter from my wife to you. She told me to give it to my father-in-law in case of emergency."
Chen Dachang's eyes widened. "What else does she have to say?"
"You'll know after you read it, Grandpa."
After saying that, Rong Xin tore open the envelope, took out the letter and put it in Chen Dachang's hand.
He opened the medicine bottle and sprinkled the medicine on the wound.
Gu Jiu's handmade hemostatic medicine was incredibly effective. After the powder was sprinkled on, the amount of bleeding visibly decreased.
Chen Dachang took a deep breath, unfolded the letter, and read Gu Jiu's handwritten letter to him word by word.
After reading it, he sighed dejectedly, "She already guessed the truth, so why bother asking us? Is our answer really that important?"
Rong Xin waited for his answer.
Chen Dachang laughed at himself and shook his head. "Tell my wife that Old Master Gu did die because of this. The late emperor was dying, and Old Master Gu was the only one besides me who knew about it, so he had to die."
Rong Xin nodded and said, "I will tell my wife your words truthfully."
Chen Dachang waved his hand and continued, "Back then, the late emperor also wanted to open the underground palace of Emperor Zhongzong and retrieve the real jade seal. Mr. Gu is unmatched in his appreciation of antiques and jade, and the late emperor personally appointed Mr. Gu to be in charge of this matter.
Mr. Gu personally led his men to the underground palace, but unexpectedly, half of the people died as soon as they entered the corridor. The remaining half, if not dead, were half disabled.
Next, I will tell you about the royal family's secrets. This will come out of my mouth, enter your ears, and only to Madam Zhao. You must tell Madam Zhao that this matter must not be told to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and certainly not to His Majesty.
Rong Xin swore a poisonous oath.
Chen Dachang sighed, "Help me get to the cabin. There are too many people here, it's not a place for conversation."
Rong Xin called two eunuchs and took Chen Dachang into the largest cabin.
The boat rocked, and the people rocked with it.
Chen Dachang was lying on a chair. He was seriously injured and had lost so much blood. He was at the end of his strength and urgently needed recuperation.
Rong Xin took out another medicine bottle and fed Chen Dachang a pill.
"Don't worry, this is a life-saving medicine for you. Madam made it with her own secret recipe. As long as you're still breathing, you won't die after taking this medicine."
Chen Dachang laughed heartily, "Madam is truly omnipotent! If she were a man, our family would definitely conquer the country for her and help her ascend the throne."
Rong Xin sneered, "Madam has no intention of rebelling. Don't talk nonsense and bring disaster upon Madam."
"It is precisely because Madam has no intention of rebelling that we are grateful. We are grateful that Madam knows how to exercise restraint."
"Stop talking nonsense and tell me about your secret."
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