Shi Fu and Shi Lang immediately stood up and saluted: "We will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
"Okay, sit down!" With the assurance of the two, Zheng Zhilong felt much more at ease.
After sitting down again, Zheng Zhilong said, "Let's talk about how to deal with the current situation!"
Shi Fu was the first to speak: "General, the court's establishment of a port in Songjiang Prefecture is a foregone conclusion and cannot be changed."
"That's the problem!" Zheng Zhilong said unwillingly, "After adding a port, Yuegang's business may not be affected in the short term, but it will be greatly affected in the long run. Putting aside other things, many merchant ships will abandon Yuegang and go to Nanzhili to sail out to sea because of the annual flag-hanging fee of 3,000 taels!"
"What does the general mean...?" Shi Fu asked.
"What I mean is to find a way to develop the flag-selling business over there! As long as they are willing to pay, it doesn't matter where we load and unload the goods!" Zheng Zhilong replied.
Shi Fu thought for a moment and asked in a low voice, "Does your Excellency want us to pretend to be pirates and rob merchant ships sailing out of Shanghai?"
"That's about right. First, establish your authority over them, and then send someone to negotiate the flag-selling business. If they don't listen, continue to establish your authority!"
"It's no problem to establish your authority!" Shi Fu promised. "May I ask what flag you will fly during the robbery?"
Zheng Zhilong narrowed his eyes, countless thoughts flashing through his mind.
Since they were pirates, first of all, they could not fly the flag of the official army, and secondly, they could not fly the flag of Zheng’s fleet.
Which flag is more appropriate to fly?
Got it.
Zheng Zhilong's eyes lit up: "I heard that the Jiannu navy went south to invade the border. We can use the Jiannu navy's flag to frame them."
this...
Both Shi Fu and Shi Lang felt that something was wrong.
Seeing their hesitation, Zheng Zhilong hurriedly asked, "Is there any problem?"
"We have business dealings with the Jiannu, and framing them would risk bringing disaster upon ourselves."
"We can only frame them!" Zheng Zhilong was a little helpless. "Everyone knows that the Zheng family fleet is the only one in the southeast coast. The court will not believe if we frame someone else."
"The Jiannu navy all shaved their heads into rat-tail braids, and our people can't do that," said Zheng Zhibao.
"It doesn't matter. The Jiannu navy all wear rattan helmets, and there are many Han people among them. As long as they are not caught alive, it will be impossible to tell the authenticity." Zheng Zhilong was confident.
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