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Chapter 786: Continue the Southern Tour
"Boy, are you willing to accompany me next time I sail?" When getting off the boat, Hong Tao asked the navigator a question with a forced smile.

"Well... it is a great benefit for students to follow His Majesty. However, there are so many classmates, so it is better to treat them all equally." The navigator has lost a lot of weight compared to when he set sail, and his cheeks are a little chubby.

It wasn't that the food on the ship was bad, nor was it that I was sick, but that I was under too much mental pressure. I was sailing in the stormy seas all day long, and I didn't know where to go. I was always nervous and couldn't eat or sleep well.

"Hmph, you haven't improved your skills, but you are much more slick in your words. According to military regulations, gambling is strictly prohibited on board ships. You won this pen from him, right? I will let you off the hook and confiscate the gambling money!"

After learning so many skills, he still dares to beg and despise. Hong Tao really can't stand it. But he can't argue with a small officer. He just happened to see another pen in his jacket pocket. This is a tribute made by the Time Workshop for the palace. How can it be easily lost to the people? Confiscate it!

"Hehehe... kid, you are far from being able to fight against us! Don't cry, when you have time, come to the Forbidden City and tell us our name, and I guarantee you won't suffer any harm!" Wang Chengen followed behind with his mouth crookedly grinning, and did not forget to add another stab.

"..." The navigator's face turned pale with anger. Even if he was promoted to captain, he would not dare to stroll in the Forbidden City.

Now the pen is gone. This promise sounds classy, ​​but in reality it is worse than fart. It is so bullying! What? It is because the emperor is backing him up... No matter what, the emperor is not wrong, the one who is wrong must be this damn eunuch!
"Don't be so petty. My pen is gone, so I'm giving you this to play with. Remember, this isn't given by me, but by His Majesty, as a reward for your safe return.

Be careful not to let water in, there is no place to repair it if it breaks. Oh, right! If you lose your wife and children, you are not allowed to pawn this, or you will be beheaded. Don’t say that I didn’t warn you then!”

The ancients said it was true, "If you keep company with the emperor, you will be redder!" Wang Chengen has been with the emperor for so many years, and except for his appearance, he is almost the same as him in all aspects. The most similar thing is that he squeezes people, and he cheats when it is obviously a good thing. He gives benefits and gifts, but in the end he is still hated.

"...Tsk...what are you looking at? Don't tell the captain, or I'll make you climb the mast every day!"

The navigator was from the Sea House Division after all, so he wasn't so blind. However, his backbone only existed in one word before he was softened by the silver-glittering and extremely delicate object. He had long forgotten what a fountain pen was.

Small and easy-to-carry clocks are rare among the common people, but they are not rare at all in the navy. Most centurions have one and it is impossible not to have one.

But compared to this watch that can be worn on the wrist, the nautical watch issued by the navy seems too bulky. So it must be kept well to prevent the news from leaking out too quickly. It can be delayed as long as possible, and we can enjoy it first!
"I, the Governor-General of Nanyang Zuo Guangdou, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Land Warfare Li Rumei, pay my respects to Your Majesty!" As soon as they got off the ship, the two highest officials of the Luzon Special Administrative Region bowed in unison. But strangely, there was no one behind them except a few guards.

Zuo Guangdou and Li Rumei were not very credulous when they heard that the emperor had suddenly entered the port with his fleet. The news of the southern tour was officially delivered by the General Staff after the emperor arrived in Da Nang.

The official document only said that the emperor would visit Da Nang and Manila, but there was no specific itinerary. At first, Zuo Guangdou and Li Rumei did not think it was strange, because Emperor Jingyang always acted strangely.

However, the emperor stayed in Da Nang for more than two months and did not mention coming to Manila. Moreover, more than a dozen officers including the commander of the South China Sea Fleet did not show up again. This was a bit puzzling. Zuo Guangdou and Li Rumei thought that they had done their best in the past three years in Luzon. They could not say that they had made any great contributions, but they were conscientious and dedicated to their duties. They did not cause any trouble to the court. They should not be ignored.

As a result, the emperor's fleet suddenly appeared outside the harbor without any prior signs. Upon hearing the news, Zuo and Li felt a chill in their hearts, and no matter how they thought about it, they felt worried rather than happy.

It would be wrong to say that there is no one who is not afraid of death, especially when facing an emperor who is decisive and ruthless. The two senior officials suddenly panicked and did not even bother to arrange a welcoming ceremony. They hurriedly came to the dock together, waiting to hear the verdict of fate.

"Get up... I didn't mean to disturb you two, but you still have to listen to the report. Let's go to the Governor's Mansion!" Seeing the two people's flickering eyes and sweat on their temples, Hong Tao knew that they might have misunderstood. He walked over and took one of them in each hand, and walked along the pier towards the city.

Many local people and Chinese businessmen along the way did not react much to this scene. Most of them stopped by the roadside and greeted casually. Only a few showed surprised expressions, not quite understanding why the Governor-General of Nanyang and the Commander-in-Chief were accompanied by men in white military uniforms and their attitudes were quite respectful.

"I have carefully read the memorials submitted by Yizhi and the reports submitted by the Navy General Staff. There are two main problems at present. First, the indigenous tribes are fleeing southwards. Second, there is harassment from the southern islands, right?"

Zuo Guangdou's Governor's Palace and Li Rumei's Land War Command Office were both located in the original Governor's Palace of the Philippines. By opening the windows on the third floor, you can clearly see the docks on both sides of the Pasig River, and with a telescope you can also see the Chinese business community on the other side of the river.

This was the first time that Hong Tao came to Manila in his life, but he did not take a close look at the scenery while standing in front of the window. He lit a cigar and started discussing government affairs without even the necessary preparation.

"...Your Majesty is wise, and it is indeed true in the final analysis." The two highest military and political leaders of the Luzon Special Region exchanged glances, and Zuo Guangdou spoke for the answer.

“Is it just religion?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, it is true. Most of the natives who fled south were Muslims rather than Catholics, and the place they went to was Sulu.

This country has a great origin. During the Yongle period, it sailed north to pay tribute. Emperor Chengzu bestowed on it seals, robes, crowns and belts, saddled horses, and ceremonial objects. However, its king died of illness in Dezhou on the way back, and his son returned to succeed him.

When the Spaniards arrived, they occupied the islands and spread Catholicism. The Sulu Kingdom sent troops to attack them many times, but each time they won and lost. When the Ming Navy came here, the Sulu Kingdom still refused to surrender. On the one hand, it took in the natives of Luzon who could not escape, and on the other hand, it sent ships to launch surprise attacks many times, but they were all defeated. "

This time it was Li Rumei who answered. In addition to describing the current situation, she also focused on introducing a country with a long history that had some connection with the Ming Dynasty. There was a hint of helplessness in her words and expression.

(End of this chapter)