MLMD -Chapter 449 The Furious Zheng Zhilong

“It’s a Ming warship!”

Seeing the massive warships speeding toward them, their sails bearing the sun-and-moon flag, Zhang Dongsheng felt a shock deep in his heart. He couldn’t even remember the last time he had seen such a majestic fleet. Each warship seemed like a colossal ancient sea monster rising from the ocean, their sails glowing brilliantly under the sunlight.

Zhang Dongsheng let out a weak groan: “Heavens… could my eyes be failing me? Since when did the Ming have such a powerful fleet? And the design of their ships… it’s so Westernized.”

Although Old Bi had spent his life at sea, he had never seen warships so massive. Suppressing his trembling fear, he stammered, “Master… we… we should turn and flee.”

“Flee…!” Zhang Dongsheng glared at him angrily. “At this point, where could we possibly escape? Even if we try, they’d catch up in less than half an hour—and it would be far worse for us then. Enough, give orders—everyone, brace yourselves! Bring out all our cannons and matchlocks, just in case.”

Nowadays, most merchant ships carried one or two two- or three-pound cannons and a few matchlocks. Though this firepower was weak compared to official naval ships or large pirate fleets, it was at least enough to defend against lone pirates or isolated raiders.

“…Alright, then.” Old Bi, though uneasy, knew that having some cannons was better than none—it would at least bolster their courage.

But as the Ming-flagged ships drew closer, the small spark of bravery he had mustered evaporated like snow under the blazing sun.

“Heavens… where did these warships even come from?”

The fleet was now only a few hundred steps away. Old Bi didn’t even have the strength to groan anymore.

Old Bi was aboard a 500-‘liao’ fuzhou-style merchant ship. By current Ming standards, it was a medium-to-large ship, comparable to earlier Ming naval vessels. But compared to the two enormous warships looming before them, his ship seemed like a child’s toy in comparison.

At that moment, a hoarse voice rang out from the lead warship:
“We are the Ming Shandong Wehaiwei Naval Fleet. The ship ahead must immediately stop for inspection. I repeat, stop for inspection—or face no mercy!”

As the voice carried across the waves, the fleet began to maneuver around them, forming a net-like encirclement. All the ships opened their gun ports, and the black muzzles of the cannons were aimed directly at them.

Seeing this, everyone aboard the merchant ship froze. Zhang Dongsheng nearly collapsed onto the deck, if not for Old Bi supporting him.

Old Bi trembled: “Master… we’d better listen to them and stop the ship. Don’t resist… otherwise, they really will fire.”

Zhang Dongsheng glanced at the few small cannons behind him, then at the massive barrels and the menacing soldiers on deck, and felt a despairing gap between them—as vast as that between a nursing infant and a grown man.

“Enough… let’s just stop the ship.” Saying this, a statement that filled him with despair, Zhang Dongsheng collapsed to the deck as if all the strength had been drained from his bones.

Ten days later, Zheng Residence, Shijing Town, Nan’an, Quanzhou, Fujian

Today was the birthday of Zheng Zhilong’s favorite son, Zheng Sen. Many prominent figures in the Quanzhou area came to congratulate him, or sent gifts. As for the people from Shijing Town, Zheng’s hometown, nearly all local merchants and gentry came to show their respect.

Although Zheng Zhilong was a pirate—feared for his acts of plunder and arson at sea—he treated his hometown well. He funded the construction of bridges and roads, donated silver and grain monthly to widows and the elderly, and sponsored scholars in their examinations. He never bullied the weak in his village, earning a strong reputation in Quanzhou and across Fujian. In Shijing Town, he was almost revered as a local deity.

Today was Zheng Sen’s sixteenth birthday—the so-called “year of the dance elephant,” considered the age when one could go to war in ancient terms. Zheng Zhilong placed great importance on the occasion, inviting many to celebrate.

Dressed in a purple brocade robe, his face as fair as white jade, a thin beard along his jaw, and long hair held by a jade hairpin, Zheng Zhilong exuded elegance despite being over forty. His presence still hinted at the handsome youth he once had.

In the main hall of the rear courtyard, Zheng Zhilong sat at the head seat, with Quanzhou Prefect Fu Youchen, Magistrate Chen Daci, and Commander Run Younian among other officials seated beside him. They drank heartily, with Zheng Zhilong’s joyful smile never fading.

Indeed, Zheng Zhilong had every reason to be pleased. Over the past month, his fleet had intercepted over ten batches of Shandong ships, seizing silver and goods valued at at least 700,000–800,000 taels—a considerable fortune even by his standards. Who could begrudge someone that kind of wealth?

After several rounds of wine, Fu Youchen set down his cup, stroked his beard, and said, “Lord Zheng, you are the pillar of the Ming. The security of the Fujian coast rests on you. Your service has been long and distinguished. As they say, a tiger’s son will not be a dog. Your son is also a remarkable young man. I am very impressed. Have you considered a path for him in officialdom?”

Zheng Zhilong smiled modestly despite his joy: “You flatter me, Lord Fu. My son has some cleverness, but as the saying goes, jade must be carved to become a gem. He will still need the guidance of esteemed elders like yourselves. As for his entering official service…”

Meanwhile, in a nearby side hall, the birthday boy Zheng Sen sat with a group of uncles, talking and laughing. Although young, he had lived in Hirado, Japan, with his mother until age six, only returning to Quanzhou after Zheng Zhilong accepted Ming recognition and office. He was diligent in his studies and had earned the title of xiucai last year at nearly fifteen, becoming a “stipendiary student” (lin shan sheng).

Zheng Sen also showed strategic talent in military affairs—a rare scholar-warrior. Both his father and the family’s elders regarded him as the heir to the Zheng family.

Raising his cup, Zheng Sen filled everyone’s glasses and said, “Uncles, thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday. I offer this cup to you—first, a toast!” He drank it down in one gulp.

“Well said!” Zheng Zhibao, sitting nearby, laughed heartily. “Since Sen drinks so freely, this uncle cannot be outdone. Let’s finish this cup together!”

“Cheers!” Everyone clinked cups and drank heartily.

After three rounds, the atmosphere became lively. These were Zheng Zhilong’s brothers and trusted men, and they spoke freely among themselves.

After a few more drinks, Zheng Zhibao smiled at a burly man beside him: “Old Li, you’re not playing fair. I heard you recently intercepted a fleet of over ten merchant ships, making over 100,000 taels. And yet, you didn’t treat us to a drink—quite inconsiderate.”

The burly man’s eyes glinted with pride, but he spoke modestly: “It was just luck. Over the past year, the maritime ban in Shandong was lifted, so merchants ventured out more. This little profit is just the start.”

“Hehe…” Zheng Zhibao laughed maliciously. “That Yue Yang didn’t expect it. He painstakingly enforced the maritime ban, but it ended up benefiting us. Just wait, if we keep at it, they won’t last long. I want to see how Yue Yang enforces his ban then!”

Zheng Sen shook his head: “Third Uncle, Uncle Li, I heard about your recent raids. Seeking profit is one thing, but sometimes you destroy both ship and crew entirely—isn’t that too much?”

“You don’t understand, Sen!” Zheng Zhibao sneered. “Those merchants are scoundrels. If you don’t strike them hard, they won’t fear you, and they won’t come willingly to buy under the Zheng flag.”

“You…” Zheng Sen started to argue further, but then a furious roar from Zheng Zhilong reached them:

“What… many merchant ships from Fujian and Jiangsu have been seized by the authorities… who dares do this?”