Shen Feng
On the wide training ground, a group of men were huddled together, trying to grab a small leather ball as if they were fighting for some treasure.
Sometimes they huddled together, sometimes they scattered in all directions. The ball made of cowhide was tossed here and there, snatched away by people, or knocked to the ground with the ball. The scene was quite rough and chaotic, but it attracted whistles and cheers from the onlookers.
This thing is called handball. It is different from Cuju and polo. The player holds the ball in his hand and throws it into the opponent's goal to win.
It was first played by the soldiers of the Red Flag Gang. Since it could be played on any location and on the deck, it soon spread to the Green Phoenix Gang.
They were all pirates who plundered and looted, the kind who enjoyed wrestling and cockfighting when they had nothing better to do. Seeing something so new and exciting, how could they resist? Besides the fact that it was harmless, aside from the risk of falling into the sea or getting a bloody headshot, the gang didn't prohibit it. Instead, they formed several teams and regularly placed bets. During typhoon season, when merchant ships were scarce, it was a great way to pass the time.
A group of people were having fun when suddenly a personal guard quickly crossed the parade grounds and came to a chair covered with an umbrella on the stage. He whispered, "Boss, a messenger from the Red Flag Gang has arrived."
"You're here quick." The man leaning on the chair yawned lazily, but didn't sit up straight. He just waved his hand casually, "Let's ask him to come over."
The personal guard immediately sent a message, not daring to delay even a moment.
It’s not that the person who came is so noble, but his identity is special. He is the messenger sent by Gang Leader Cheng, the leader of the Red Flag Gang who seized the strait.
Who could have imagined that it would only take a year for the Red Banner Army to return from the Strait? It was said that they had completely established themselves there, repelling the Long Whale Gang and the Western barbarians, and even taking control of the pepper trade.
In this way, the entire route to Southeast Asia is controlled by the Red Flag Gang alone. How much power does this require?
In comparison, the Qingfeng Gang's progress in the East China Sea was stretched thin. Even if they tried every possible means, they still couldn't deal with those aristocratic families, let alone monopolize the shipping routes to Japan. If they came into conflict with the Chiqi Gang again, they would probably get into big trouble.
It was a truth known to everyone, so these personal soldiers and leaders dared not underestimate their former allies anymore. However, Gang Leader Shen, who was in charge, acted as if nothing had happened, not showing any sign of caution or vigilance. While making people feel at ease, they also had some doubts about what he was thinking.
But it doesn't matter if you can't figure it out, as long as you can read the expression. Several leaders also put on expressions similar to the boss, at least to maintain the pomp and momentum.
Soon, a scholar-like figure strode over. Seeing the man in fancy clothes slumped under an umbrella, looking disheveled, he immediately bowed and saluted. "I'm Zheng Yin, honored to meet Boss Chen. I've come here to pass on a message for my master. Would Boss Chen be willing to join my master in the hunt in Jiangdong?"
They hadn't expected the messenger to be this kind of person, let alone the words he'd say. The group of leaders were immediately in an uproar. Even Shen Feng couldn't help but become interested. He asked curiously, "Is Gang Leader Cheng so impatient that he's eager to open up another battlefield and take the East China Sea?"
The territory of the Red Flag Gang is quite far away from Jiangdong, and is separated by Fujian and the Qingfeng Gang. They just returned from a war and want to get involved in the East China Sea, and even want them to help. They are really arrogant.
The scholar surnamed Zheng laughed and said, "That's wrong. It's precisely because of our master's high regard for Gang Leader Shen that he invited us. If this goes through, the route to Japan will belong entirely to the Qingfeng Gang."
This statement was even more shocking than the previous one. The shipping routes of Japan were a big business that had been controlled by the Jiangdong families for more than a hundred years. It was something that Shen Feng had spent countless efforts to obtain but had not yet been able to do so.
They all engaged in overseas trade, but this "overseas" also had near and far places. Compared with the faraway South Seas, it was definitely easier to make money in nearby Japan and Silla.
Giving up the shipping lane so easily was unthinkable. However, upon closer examination, they already controlled the strait, occupied the South China Sea, and were plotting to dominate the East China Sea. Would they care about a tiny country like Japan? If the two countries could truly join forces and take over Jiangdong, it would be a lucrative business.
Money is tempting, let alone such irresistible benefits. Countless people were scratching their heads anxiously, just wanting to accept it on behalf of the gang leader. However, Shen Feng looked at the man in front of him and suddenly asked, "Brother Zheng, have you ever been educated and taken exams?"
The topic changed so quickly that Zheng Yin was also taken aback, but he quickly replied, "I am not talented. I once participated in the imperial examination, but unfortunately I didn't pass the exam."
Those who could take part in the imperial examination were all Juren. Even if they failed, it was enough to exempt them from land rent. Countless villagers donated their land and even sought a vacancy in the government office and became a county magistrate.
Such a person has now become a messenger, calling himself "Master". One can imagine how many talented people are under Cheng Xi's command.
Is this the benefit of occupying prefectures and counties and conquering cities? If she also takes a place like Jiangdong, how many people will she have available to her?
However, the thought only flashed through his mind, and Shen Feng smiled: "For such a major matter, I must have a face-to-face discussion with Gang Leader Cheng, and we must also think about how to send troops."
As if he had guessed this, Zheng Yin smiled and said, "If Gang Leader Shen is interested, you can come back to Panyu with me and meet the master in person."
Upon hearing this, several leaders around Shen Feng immediately shouted, "Isn't it your family who came to the door?" "She should come!"
It's no wonder they are so arrogant. It's just that the messenger's tone makes people feel uncomfortable, as if Baba would be a step down if he ran over.
Even though they knew that the Red Flag Gang was powerful and would never be led by Miss Qiu as before, they still had to shout a few words to support their gang leader.
Zheng Yin did not answer, nor did he even raise his eyebrows. Seeing the other person's expression, Shen Feng smiled and stood up: "As a man, it is my duty to meet the beauty in person."
The renowned Shen Sandao was naturally elegant, but his words were quite frivolous. Zheng Yin's expression immediately changed, but he also knew that this was just an excuse to save face, so he just nodded stiffly: "Then I'll trouble you, Boss Shen."
However, for Shen Feng, excuses were all empty talk. What he really wanted to see was the current state of the Red Flag Gang after a year of war, and the real plans of the Red Flag Gang leader.
Because of the bad wind, it took several days to arrive in Dongning.
Looking at the harbor in front of him, Shen Feng narrowed his eyes slightly. It was just a fishing village in the past, and later a military camp was built here. After several years, it has completely turned into a big city by the sea.
The originally narrow, easily defended and difficult to attack beach had been widened considerably, with several long embankments extending outward, forming a sufficiently large dock. There was an endless stream of ships coming and going. These were no ordinary merchant ships, but rather warships and merchant vessels belonging to the Red Flag Gang.
Even more eye-catching were the new-style gunboats, which looked nothing like ordinary seagoing vessels. Compared to common warships, these ships had many more side sails and soft sails, and their bulwarks were densely packed with gun ports, clearly carrying a large number of cannons.
Is this the new boat built by the Red Flag Gang? Is this what they use to fight the barbarians?
Without showing any emotion, Shen Feng saw everything and weighed the calculations in his mind over and over again.
Therefore, when he saw the red dress, the smile on his face was already appropriate. "It seems that Boss Cheng has gained a lot in this battle. But what terms did he negotiate with the barbarian?"
Looking at the man who was still dressed in gorgeous clothes and still full of charm, Cheng Xi also smiled: "He must have gained a lot of benefits, so he has the energy to care about other things."
Having said that, starting another war right after returning is not something that can be easily decided. Shen Feng sat across from Cheng Xi without hesitation and said bluntly, "Even if the gains are considerable, sending troops to Jiangdong now is a bit hasty. Could it be that they want to attack the Tianding Army and rescue Yuhang? Lu Er sent me a letter before, but he looked so panicked. Surrendering an entire country's shipping lanes just for a piece of land is a loss-making business."
This must have a hidden purpose. After all, the Qingfeng Gang's territory is sandwiched between Panyu and Yuhang. If they want to drive directly from the South China Sea to the East China Sea, they will have to pass through his jurisdiction. If they are not careful, they will be eaten alive.
So what Shen Feng cared about was not that the reward was too little, but that it was too much and too generous, which made people wary.
The words were spoken bluntly, but his face still didn't show how serious he was, as if disguise was engraved in his bones.
Cheng Xi didn't beat around the bush and said bluntly, "I know what Gang Leader Shen is thinking, but the attack on Jiangdong isn't just for the Tianding Army, it's also for future arrangements. I've already made an agreement with the Xisai people. From now on, they can cross the strait and trade with the surrounding areas of Dagan. There are no other restrictions except that they can't touch the Red Flag Gang's territory. Besides Xisai, there are many foreign countries that do the same. There will be a lot of merchant ships on the sea in the future. Where do you think they will be eyeing?"
Without much calculation, Shen Feng came up with the answer directly: "It is Japan."
If the Red Flag Gang occupied the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and the straits beyond, those foreigners would be left with few options. Japan, a large archipelago close to the mainland and boasting silver and copper mines, would indeed be a good place to settle. But wouldn't that mean he would become a war zone, a pawn of the Red Flag Gang?
This arrangement, calculated to the core, did not make Shen Feng angry. He just narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Is this the destination you arranged for the Qingfeng Gang?"
"It's not the Qingfeng Gang, it's pirates." Cheng Xi answered frankly, "The sea is vast, no one can completely wipe out the pirates. I think you have more pirates than merchants, so you deliberately march into the East China Sea to prevent them from having time to cause trouble. Unfortunately, the East China Sea is also the gateway to the sea, a route that merchant ships must pass through. How can I let them cause trouble?"
If she wanted to control the East China Sea, she would not allow pirates to wreak havoc. However, she chose not to suppress the pirates, but to let these people create another battlefield to compete with those barbarians from the West.
It has to be said that this is an extremely cruel strategy of driving a tiger to devour a wolf. If this route is taken, there will probably be no peace in the future.
Faced with such harsh conditions, Shen Feng's previous suspicions disappeared. She said matter-of-factly, "If you choose this path, Quanzhou and even Fujian will not be solely mine. Aren't you afraid that I will refuse outright and break up with you?"
"No, you don't have that ambition." Cheng Xi smiled and answered frankly, "You never wanted a huge territory, you just wanted to dominate one side. Japan is enough for you, why bother with other things?"
This was the first time someone told him that he lacked ambition, especially as a woman.
But the person he was facing was Cheng Xi, and Shen Feng had no way to deny it. After all, he had never thought of going to the strait to occupy the "national gate", nor did he have the ambition to unify the world.
As long as he had a stable route that belonged to him alone, that was enough to satisfy him. Perhaps it was precisely because she saw through this that she offered such a reward.
A sea where he can roam freely, without interference, but also without being allowed to cross.
But this answer was still not enough for Shen Feng: "If we just want to control this route, we might as well just swallow up the Qingfeng Gang. Why go through so much trouble?"
Her offer was generous, but also demanding. What if he refused to compete with those pirates and bandits? Or what if, after he had conquered a territory and built up a strong army, he one day developed a rebellious streak? Things were different now. The Red Flag Gang was more than capable of swallowing up the Green Phoenix Gang, and he, Shen Feng, did not want to be their lackey.
"Because a national war requires not only regular troops, but also spies, assassins, merchants who penetrate deep into enemy territory, and bandits who harass enemy countries. Others will have to do what the Red Flag Gang can't provide. When the thousand sails cross the strait and explore foreign lands, it can't be just the Red Flag." Cheng Xi did not hide anything and stated the original intention of this arrangement.
What she will face in the future is not just Xisai, but the entire unknown world.
Facing this vast world naturally requires more identities and more power, just like the privateering licenses issued by the Queen herself. And when staying in a small corner is no longer sustainable, those pirates and merchants will follow the Red Flag Gang through the strait and explore more distant worlds.
These words were not complicated, and the tone was even plain, but to Shen Feng's ears, they sounded like a scroll unfolding and a majestic scene unfolding.
In this world, no one has ever thought of unifying the seas, nor has anyone ever thought of establishing a country and expanding its territory. The kings, princes, and generals only care about the vast mountains and rivers, not the four seas.
But now, someone has spoken out, and someone is determined to do it. From now on, the sea will have a unified atmosphere, and there will be the courage to treat the strait as a gateway.
How could an ordinary person think of or accomplish such a groundbreaking feat?
No wonder Lu Er was willing to serve her.
Looking at the woman who had grown taller than when they first met, and seeing her eyes and eyebrows completely open after losing her youthfulness, Shen Feng suddenly laughed: "If this continues, you and I may not be able to live together peacefully. It's better to have a child early so that she can inherit the family business in the future."
He was smiling and more serious than ever before. If they had a child, he would definitely be a dragon among men and be able to take over such a huge foundation.
Facing such an invitation, Cheng Xi also smiled back: "A child with the surname Fu?"
Then, the smile on Shen Feng's face froze, and he found that he really couldn't control the child's surname.
If the child was born with the surname Fu, wouldn't that mean he would be handing over all his wealth? After all, drifting on the sea, there was no telling what natural disasters or man-made calamities might happen. He didn't want Cheng Xi to drag a child along and accept his inheritance as soon as he died.
By that time, who would still remember the name of the previous leader of the Qingfeng Gang? And he didn't want to be a dog, didn't want his name to be overshadowed by the achievements of others.
With a light sigh, Shen Feng said, "It seems we are not destined to be together."
The last time the other party refused him, he couldn't help but have some thoughts. After all, they were friends who had risked their lives for each other, so it wasn't impossible for them to roll around in bed together.
But now, if you don't want to have more "illegitimate children", the best way is to stay away from them. If you can't be husband and wife, you can only be allies, even if their identities are reversed and it will never be the same as before.
"Brother Shen, are you willing to follow me to attack Jiangdong and then take over a shipping route?" Cheng Xi didn't care what he was thinking and got back to the point.
"How dare I refuse an invitation from Gang Leader Cheng?" Shen Feng smiled and leaned back in his chair. "A man as cunning as you must have made plans long ago. It's time to tell me about it."
"Of course." Cheng Xi smiled and waved his hand lightly, and asked someone to bring over the nautical chart sand table.
Looking at the sand table with densely packed small flags, Shen Feng became focused for a rare time and put all other messy things behind his mind.
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