Outside Lin'an City.
Cao Zhengtong, who was about to set off, suddenly learned that the King of Chu's fleet had been defeated by the Dutch. The fleeing people and disintegrated soldiers described the battle scene as very terrifying.
With a faint sigh, Cao Zhengtong urged the carriage forward. Just as his father expected, King Chu's fleet was nothing more than a showpiece and vulnerable to a single blow.
Along the official road of Lin'an City, he headed north. After seven consecutive days of driving, he finally saw the legendary Qingzhou City.
At this time, Cao Zhengyang was waiting for him at the dock outside Qingzhou City. The servants had arrived in advance to tell Cao Zhengyang the news of his arrival.
"Brother." Cao Zhengyang looked at Cao Zhengtong, who looked a little pale, and asked, "Brother, has something happened at home? Where is my father?"
"Don't worry, my father is fine. He came to Qingzhou this time. Father's order, by the way, you bring me to King Qi now, I have something important to tell King Qi," Cao Zhengtong said.
He is the legitimate son of the Cao family, and his status in the family is much higher than that of Cao Zhengyang.
Cao Zhengyang nodded and immediately led Cao Zhengtong to Prince Qi's Mansion. After the announcement, they waited for Prince Qi's reception.
In the palace, Xiao Ming was explaining the knowledge in the book to Fei Yue'er. These days, Fei Yue'er was completely immersed in the books he gave her. If there was anything she didn't understand, she would ask Xiao Ming in time.
"Your Highness, Cao Zhengtong and Cao Zhengyang, the legitimate sons of the Cao family, would like to see you." said the servant guarding the door.
Xiao Ming frowned. This was Cao Zhengtong's first time in Qingzhou. He said, "Let them in."
"Your Highness, I will leave now." Fei Yue'er is very sensible. Every time a guest comes over, She will actively avoid it.
Xiao Ming nodded. These days, he and Fei Yue'er have become more and more like a couple, and they get along very naturally.
Fei Yue'er left, and the servant came over with two men, one of whom was Cao Zhengyang, and the other one was probably Cao Zhengtong.
"Cao Zhengtong, a common man, has met His Royal Highness the King of Qi." Cao Zhengtong and Cao Zhengyang bowed and saluted at the same time.
After waving his hand, Xiao Ming looked at Cao Zhengtong, "Zhengyang said that you are frail and sick. You have been living in Lin'an and basically don't go out. Why do you have to go to Qingzhou after a long and tiring trip this time?"
"Back to Your Highness, this time the common people went to Qingzhou to suffer the consequences. My father ordered me to deliver a message
to His Highness
at the same time. The King of Chu's fleet went to war with the Dutch and was defeated.
This King of Chu is stirring up trouble, and even King Qinglong has something to do with King Chu. King Chu's fleet was defeated by the Dutch, so he vented his anger on his behalf. He smiled and said: "But this matter has nothing to do with me. "
Cao Zhengtong was stunned. He said loudly: "Your Highness does not know. Now there is a new Dutch Count on Ryukyu Island. His name is Claire. Since he came, he has banned other merchant ships from participating in maritime trade. It is for this reason. Only the King of Chu would go to war with the Dutch. Now only His Highness can build warships that can rival the Dutch fleet, and only His Highness can defeat the Dutch and regain the maritime trade rights of the Great Chongqing."
"Xiao? Ming sneered, "Hasn't this maritime trade been monopolized by the King of Chu? Even the King of Wei is angry with the King of Chu, and I have nothing to do with maritime trade rights." Xiao Ming said lazily.
"Don't His Highness want it? What a pity. If His Highness masters all maritime trade and uses Qingzhou's goods, Qingzhou will be rich in a few years." Cao Zhengtong said.
His eyes narrowed dangerously, Xiao Ming glanced at Cao Zhengtong lightly, and said: "If you have anything to say, just say it directly. I don't like to beat around the bush. Your father didn't ask you to come to Qingzhou just to tell King Chu that you are embarrassed." "
Your Highness is wise, this time my father asked the grassroots to come here to contribute to His Highness's shipyard. As we all know, there are many shipyards in the south of the Yangtze River, and 80% of the merchant ships in the Great Chongqing Kingdom come from the south of the Yangtze River, but our Cao family There are thirteen shipyards under its banner. Six of these shipyards are in the fiefdom of the King of Chu, and seven are distributed in other places. If His Highness is willing, the common people can move all the shipyards to Dengzhou to help His Highness to Dengzhou. We will build the state into a shipbuilding industry center," Cao Zhengzheng said.
"Then what do you want to get?" Xiao Ming said.
"Similar to the Northern Expedition, if Your Highness obtains a trade route in the future, please allow the Cao family's merchant ships to participate in maritime trade." Cao Zhengtong said.
The real purpose of his coming this time was this. The defeat of the King of Chu meant that the Cao family's route to wealth was cut off, and it was impossible to take it back with the King of Chu's ability.
But the Cao family knew about Qingzhou's warships, and also knew what Qingzhou's three warships had done. They were the ones who dared to fight the British fleet and even sunk British warships.
Because of this, the Cao family decided to place a bet on King Qi.
"Hahaha…" Xiao Ming laughed, "Your Cao family is indeed rich in financial resources. Now the large grassland in Youzhou belongs to your Cao family, and the banks in these six states also belong to you. Now you have to participate in the trade routes. Are you ready to buy my king's fiefdom now?"
Although Xiao Ming smiled, Cao Zhengtong felt cold all over. He suddenly realized something and said cautiously: "Your Highness, our Cao family is just a businessman. It is also to preserve the foundation of the Cao family. The King of Chu is now sharpening his sword against the Cao family. We are just trying to survive. Your Highness, please rest assured. Since we have entered Qingzhou, our Cao family is His Highness's ministers. "
"Humph, you know this best. Well, my fiefdom is a place where commerce flows freely, and I am very tolerant to merchants, but there are some things that you merchants cannot touch, understand?"
Cao Zhengyang's back was soaked with cold sweat. He lived in Qingzhou a lot. Time will naturally get to know this King of Qi, who is a truly dangerous person.
Cao Zhengtong said cautiously: "Your Highness, the common people understand. Our Cao family is willing to help Your Highness build a shipyard. As for the future, we will only obey His Highness's orders."
"That's pretty much it." Xiao Ming regained his smile.
As soon as the Cao family comes to the fiefdom, they will make deals with themselves, asking for this or that. If they don't beat them now, they will not go to heaven in the future. They really regard this place as a Western country of free capital, and they can ask for prices from them!
Cao Zhengtong felt a cold sweat in his heart. It was indeed his mistake this time. He should discuss the matter with Cao Zhengyang first.
"If you can help me build a shipyard, I will naturally repay you in the future. Remember, you can take what I give you, but you can't have any ideas about what I don't give you." Xiao Ming reminded.
Cao Zhengtong and Cao Zhengyang nodded again.
Xiao Ming waved his hand and asked the two of them to leave. At this time, someone called Wang Xuan over and said, "Now go and collect news about Chu Land and report it to me."