Eighth year of Chongzhen

Chapter 292
Boiled sea mussels in chicken soup, Tai Chi taro paste, river eel with fragrant dew, minced chicken and golden shredded bamboo shoots, scallops with fingers, braised stone scales in oil, lion head with sand tea, a jar of newly opened daughter red, a pair of exquisite Jingdezhen blue and white porcelain wine cups, Two pairs of chopsticks carved from ivory, and a table of exquisite food and wine were placed on a square table made of huanghuali wood.

"Come on! My dear brother, I would like to offer you a toast! I have been in the capital for several years, and I have met various people during this period, but I did not flatter you for my brother. In terms of calmness, talent, resourcefulness, and loyalty, only my virtuous brother He is the most outstanding, and the rest are insignificant! Brother Huan is fortunate enough to be the adoptive son of a virtuous brother. I don’t know how many generations he has cultivated to achieve such a great blessing. It is an honor to be a brother! This glass of wine is Brother, do it first and respect it!"

Zheng Zhifeng raised his glass with both hands, saluted Wang Shiqin who was sitting opposite him, and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.

"Could it be that Brother Zheng entrusted me with something? Otherwise, why are you so polite? The younger brother was originally a farmer's son, but thanks to the emperor's appreciation, he was promoted to such a high position. In terms of talent, the younger brother has nothing but loyalty to the emperor! Today Just chat between you and me, don't disappoint this table of food!"

Wang Shiqin picked up the wine cup, took a sip, then put it down, picked up the chopsticks and picked up a scallop to taste.

Although he drinks a lot, his special status and status allow him to keep a clear head all the time.

"Okay, alright, my brother's words are from the heart, but they are a little out of date, hahaha! Come on, brother, try this river eel, which was bought from Dongshi by the servants of the mansion the day before yesterday, and then placed in Qingshui Stay in it for two days to make it spit out the smell of mud and sand, and then cook it in the kitchen, the taste is very delicious!"

After drinking for three rounds, Wang Shiqin put down the chopsticks, wiped the oil stains around his mouth with a snow-white silk scarf, and then praised: "The chef in Brother Zheng's house is extremely skillful, and every meal is determined to make people unable to stop chopsticks. It seems It’s better for the little brother to bother you more often in the future, haha!”

Zheng Zhifeng, who had a small half of the altar with his daughter red, was already a little drunk, and he replied with a smile: "Brother, I wish that such distinguished guests as my virtuous brother would come to the door often, but it's a pity that my virtuous brother is too busy with work, so it's not like my brother." It’s like a day of leisure!”

Wang Shiqin put down the silk scarf, and said casually: "Little brother also wants to be a rich and idle person like my brother, but I have responsibilities, and I can't help myself everywhere! Brother Zheng, since you turned into a civilian job because you don't like martial arts, Yu Honglu Is the temple still comfortable? This yamen is also considered a noble place, but Brother Zheng is only in his thirties, and when he is doing something, is it possible to be willing to retire here? Brother Zheng likes to make friends, and I am afraid that Honglu Temple is not what he wants Do you mind?"

Zheng Zhifeng glanced at Wang Shiqin, put down his wine glass and said: "To tell you the truth, Honglu Temple is indeed noble, but because of my birth, some people looked down on me, so although I have the name of Shaoqing, there is no one who is not a young man. The truth is, so I have to be idle in ordinary times. This position is actually very suitable for my brother. I don’t care about the red tapes such as suburban temples, sacrifices, court meetings, banquets, etc. I am very grateful for my brother’s pilgrimage to foreign officials and the tribute from the tribes. Interesting, it's a pity that my Ming Dynasty was under the influence of thieves and cholera, and the feudal lords and foreign countries have rarely entered the pilgrimage, as for the future, let's see!"

"Could it be that Brother Zheng is very interested in the land of aliens? There are also barbarians with red flowers and green hairs in the capital from time to time, who look like ghosts. My younger brother doesn't like them. Why does Brother Zheng like this?"

"Hahahaha! Brother, this is so rare and strange! When I was in Fujian, I often communicated with the big and small Folangji and foreign barbarian Hongfan. I admired him for coming to Daming for business and trade not far away. The country is even more yearning for it. Brother, don’t underestimate these barbarians. Their gunboats are far more sharp than mine. When we first clashed with the Frangji, our ships could not compete with them head-on. In desperation, we had to release countless The small boat approached him and used fire to force him to surrender. From then on, my brother wondered what his country would look like, how he built such a powerful gunboat, and if he could capture his country The craftsman in the middle, then you will no longer be afraid of him!"

Zheng Zhifeng was very impressed with the strong ships and guns of the Frangji and the Dutch, especially the sailing warships that can cross the ocean, which are many times stronger than the Fuchuan of Ming Dynasty.Then there are the Franco cannon and the Hongyi cannon. Although Daming has been able to completely imitate them and manufacture them in large quantities, those cannons were made many years ago.According to what he has learned recently, the new Frang machine and Hongyi cannon currently used by the Frang robot have greatly improved in terms of weight and range, and their lethality has also been greatly improved.On the other hand, Daming, no matter the officers and soldiers or their Zheng family, still used the original artillery in battle, which made him even more curious about those countries thousands of miles away.

"If I can lead the fleet to the sky like Frangji, and witness with my own eyes whether the daily conditions of the people and kings are the same as my Ming Dynasty, it will be another mirror image in my life. Unfortunately, after the Sanbao eunuch, I There is no such thing as a voyage to the West. Thinking back to the time when the Sanbao eunuch led thousands of sails to the West, his majestic and heroic appearance is also fascinating!"

Wang Shiqin was overwhelmed with emotion, Zheng Zhifeng also nodded in agreement, and then picked up the wine glass and drank it in one gulp.

"Brother Zheng, if you were ordered to lead a fleet of ships to travel to the big and small Flangji and other countries, how would you feel? Go? Reject?"

Hearing Wang Shiqin's sudden question, Zheng Zhifeng froze for a moment, then picked up the wine jar and poured wine into the cup while thinking about it.

Wang Shiqin's clear cough brought Zheng Zhifeng back to his senses. He put down the wine jar in his hand, looked directly into Wang Shiqin's eyes and said slowly, "What do you mean by my brother? Could it be...?"

After that, he stretched out an index finger and pointed to the sky.

Wang Shiqin nodded with a smile and said: "Brother Zheng is indeed very intelligent. The words of my younger brother just now are really my best wishes to consult you. Please don't mind, Brother Zheng. It's not that someone used words to deceive you, but that this matter has something to do with it." It is serious, not only does it require a long-term separation from his wife and children, but he also fears that his life may be in danger. Shangyi sympathizes with his subordinates and does not want to impose it on others, so the younger brother has a roundabout word. If Brother Zheng has no such intention, the younger brother will not It was only when I asked again that I made the last word. But according to my younger brother’s observation just now, when the matter of the Three Treasures Eunuch was mentioned, Brother Zheng seemed to be moved, so I took advantage of the situation to ask!”

Zheng Zhifeng waved his hands again and again and said: "As a brother, how can you blame my virtuous brother? I am both terrified and delighted that Zheng's humble name can reach the heart of Sheng Ting. Brother Kuang Xian came here to consult this time with the holy will, it must be that the sage respects Zheng. This is why I have this question. As for what my virtuous brother said is of great importance, I have already thought about it in a flash, but I have not yet made up my mind on the choice, so please forgive me, my virtuous brother!"

Wang Shiqin nodded and replied: "Brother Zheng, you and I are very different in terms of background and position. I would also think that if Brother Zheng agrees to this matter, the dangers during the period will be hard to predict; according to Brother Zheng's current situation, if there is no serious Error, it can be said that future generations will also enjoy inexhaustible wealth and splendor. If a mediocre person will definitely focus on stability. But if a man is born in this world, if this life is unknown in history, it will be a waste of life! Brother Zheng Talent, is it possible that you would like to spend your whole life in ignorance, and finally die of old age on the bed? Since Earl Jinghai was ennobled, the emperor has shown great kindness to the Zheng family. Brother Zheng is also a fourth-rank high-ranking official. Don’t you think that brother Zheng To further favor the descendants? From my point of view, this is a once-in-a-hundred-year encounter, and it is up to Brother Zheng to decide which one to choose!"

Zheng Zhifeng was silent, and Wang Shiqin didn't say anything to persuade him, just thinking about his thoughts silently.

After a long while, Zheng Zhifeng picked up the wine cup, drank the wine in the glass and said: "This matter still needs to be considered for a few days, please do not report back, my brother will make a decision within three days!"

　Thanks to book friends KKKJK and book friends 20180126134802800 for their rewards.I will go on a business trip to Dashan for a week starting tomorrow, there may be no signal, the update can only depend on the situation, please understand.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)