Taipei.

"Please, old man." Zheng Chenggong skillfully cooked fragrant tea, poured the green tea soup into the bowl of the old man in front of him, bowed slightly, and said with a smile.

The old man's hair and beard were all white, his eyebrows and eyes were kind. He picked up the tea bowl, took a sip, closed his eyes and savored the tea soup, and after careful savoring it, he put it on the table and said with a smile: "I heard that Japanese tea ceremony was born from my hometown of China, but it has a unique flavor. I have never seen it in the past. Today I don't want to see it in the hands of the country. It's not bad, it's not bad."

"Mr. Zeng is in love. You also know that I grew up in Japan when I was young and knows about the people's customs and worldly feelings. My mother often teaches me..." When he said of his mother, Zheng Chenggong looked sad and his hands couldn't help but tighten.

At this moment, firecrackers and cheers sounded outside the window. Zheng Sen pulled up the blinds and saw hundreds of people dressed up on the street, cheering and cheering towards the square in the middle of the city. He couldn't help but feel sad: "I remember when I first met Li Mingxun in the East China Sea. He had only three or five boats and seven or eight cannons. In just a few years, he had such a foundation. It's really sad."

"The times create heroes..." Zeng Ying sighed.

What made the two of them feel so moved was not only the economic and military strength of the newly established United States of China, but also the cohesion of their domesticity, and they could go out just by marching outside the door.

"Hmph, the world is in chaos, and heroes are everywhere. I, Zheng Chenggong, was favored by the late emperor, and I, was betrayed my father and the enemy, and the heroes surrendered. I gave me three or five years, and I may not be inferior to him, Li Mingxun!" Zheng Chenggong closed the window and said word by word.

Zeng Ying was very happy and said, "I am worthy of being the one whom the late emperor wants. The country's surname is really a hero of the world!"

The two of them sat back and Zeng Ying asked: "Last year you sent someone to Japan for help, but I don't know what the result was?"

Zheng Chenggong nodded slightly. This time he was invited to participate in the founding ceremony of the United States. After the end, he came to Taipei to meet Zeng Ying. Zeng Ying was no longer the Grand Secretary of the Dongge of the Longwu Dynasty. He regarded Emperor Yongli as the orthodox. He now served as the minister of the Ministry of Rites. In fact, he was a diplomatic envoy sent by the Yongli court in the United States of China. Although Zeng Ying had this job, he not only served the Yongli regime in Guangxi, but also had a relative friendship with Li Mingxun. In the United States, both the Senate and the local governments wanted to sell him this face. Therefore, Zeng Ying was willing to help any anti-Qing forces, no matter which regime they came from. Zheng Chenggong knew that Zeng Ying was a gentleman, so he did not hide it.

"This is a letter exchange between the Japanese General of the Conquering Yi and his younger generation. Please take a look..." Zheng Chenggong handed the letter to Zeng Ying.

After seeing it, Zeng Ying frowned. In fact, since the Hongguang regime of the Southern Ming Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty has not stopped asking for help from foreign countries. The targets were not only Japan, but also Ryukyu, Annan, Siam and other countries. Of course, among all countries, Japan has the most requests for help. In the original history, the Zheng family sent envoys to seek help eight times, and the Lu Jianguo, Huang Binqing and even the civilian anti-Qing forces also asked for help many times.

As early as the first year of Longwu (1645), Zheng Zhilong wrote to Japan's begging for the Imperial Army. The next year, he wrote eight personal letters, two to the Emperor, three to the General and Nagasaki King (persisted by Nagasaki). However, Japan had great controversy over sending troops to fight against the Qing Dynasty. He finally made up his mind to send 5,000 troops to the war, but the fall of Fujian disappeared.

"I lived in Japan and admired Japan very deeply. Now in a difficult time, I beg Japan to treat me with my uncle and nephew and brotherly affection and give me kindness!" Zeng Ying was crying when he read Zheng Chenggong's handwritten letter to the Japanese general of the Conquest of the Wild. When did the Celestial Kingdom congratulate and how did he be so humble to merely Japanese slaves? In order to ask for help, Zheng Chenggong would not hesitate to reduce his value and endure humiliation and pray.

However, the reply from the Japanese General of the Conquering Yi did not agree to send troops to the war. He had three support for Zheng Chenggong. One was the help of copper and lead equipment, which gave hundreds of stones of lead ingots, three bronze cannons, and one hundred deer guns, which was better than nothing. The second was the help of economic and trade, which supported Zheng Chenggong's trade with Japan, and gave preferential treatment in precious metals such as gold, silver and copper. The third was the matter of transportation and communication. Zheng Chenggong's younger brother, still in Japan, was not only the only representative of the Zheng clan in Japan (excluding Zheng Cai), but also allowed him to hold important positions under the leadership of Tang Tongshi, and could report the overview of the Ming and Qing wars to the shogunate every year and include them in "The Perversion of China and Yi".

Japan's attitude towards Zheng Chenggong made Zeng Ying not surprised at all. Japan, a feudal dynasty that was closed to the country, had no core interests in the mainland, so naturally it would not take Zheng Chenggong's fire. Moreover, Zheng Chenggong could not even be in a corner. How could it make the Japanese shogunate bet? In fact, the regime of the Lujian State also asked for help, and the reply was almost the same, but because of the special relationship between Zheng Chenggong's mother's family in Japan, it was just a little more favorable to Zheng Chenggong.

"As I expected, all support is better than nothing." Zeng Ying said lightly, returning the letter to Zheng Chenggong, and asked: "Does the country really not be orthodox in the emperor or the governor's regime?"

Zheng Chenggong said solemnly: "I have decided, I can't change it."

This is the shackles of Zheng Chenggong's power. Now the United States is in the middle to connect all the anti-Qing forces to form a unified front for the anti-Qing emperor's imperial guards. Zheng Chenggong held the dead Longwu and refused to accept the edicts of Yongli or Lu Jianguo, which led to his strong relationship with the Ming system. You must know that in the southwest and southeast directions, the greater power of the imperial guards have tried to carry out joint operations. The Battle of Guangzhou and the Changes in Jiangnan are the best proof, but Zheng Chenggong's forces did not participate in it. The so-called participation is just a robbery.

In addition to the orthodox struggle, the weak strength of the Zheng Chenggong Group is also an important reason. Today, the Zheng Chenggong Group is hiding on Nan'ao Island in Guangdong. It usually takes advantage of the Yongli and Lu regimes that led to the attention of the Qing army during the mainland military operations, and went ashore to collect grain and operate at the junction of eastern Guangdong and southern Fujian. It is the most inconspicuous force in the coastal anti-Qing forces.

"If you were not so stubborn, you wouldn't have reached this point. In fact, Li Mingxun's proposal was good." Zeng Ying couldn't help but comfort her.

Zheng Chenggong sighed and said for a long time. After a while, he gritted his teeth and chose to shake his head. As Zeng Ying said, Li Mingxun's proposal was very good. Not only was he moved, but the generals below were the same.

According to Li Mingxun's suggestion, Zheng Chenggong could regard the Lu Jianguo as orthodox and join the Lu Jianguo regime, and then the United States mediated in the unified front to select one of the Kinmen and Xiamen Islands occupied by Zheng Cai for the Zhengcheng Group. Although these two islands are not places for military farming and military maintenance, they are the ports for the overseas trading of Zhangzhou and Quanzhou governments. With the benefits of maritime trade, Zheng Chenggong Group could be developed.

But Zheng Chenggong did not want to accept this matchmaking. He insisted on taking the dead Longwu as orthodox. To put it bluntly, he wanted to establish a small court of his own arbitrary rule, not affected by internal struggles such as party struggles. If he joined any Ming regime, the situation would change. If he was in Zhu Ming's hands, the cohesion under his command would be completely lost, especially in the regime of the Lu State, Zheng Cai, there was a real power figure in Zheng Fan.

"Old gentleman, I think that in this situation, a trade port can benefit from maritime trade, which is just a temporary change. Now the Qing barbarians are in great power, and the resistance to the Qing Dynasty is not a success in ten years. If you want to do a great cause in this chaotic era, you must have a foundation for the East... like the United States, overseas that the Qing barbarians cannot reach. No matter what the situation in the mainland is, you will be invincible!" Zheng Chenggong said earnestly.

Zeng Ying focused heavily and asked, "Where can the country think that the country can live in a place around the ocean?"

"Hey, it's naturally the best in Taiwan." Zheng Chenggong said.

"Are you talking about Tainan?" Zeng Ying certainly wouldn't foolishly think that Zheng Chenggong had any inappropriate thoughts about the base camp. Since he belonged to Taiwan, he would know the Tainan area that the Dutch stole.

Tainan faces the southeast, with a fertile field of thousands of miles, and is not inferior to the base camp at all. It is just a matter of time to raise millions of people. If Tainan is the foundation, its strength will inevitably soar. However, Tainan is now under the control of the Netherlands. Both Zheng Chenggong and Zeng Ying know that the Dutch in Taiwan are not particularly strong, and foreigners and natives can gather thousands of soldiers. Zheng Chenggong is now confident if all his troops are rushing to attack.

But there are two points that cannot be ignored. Zheng Chenggong cannot resist the Dutch revenge and needs to be approved by the United States. These two points are ultimately one point, that is, what is the attitude of the United States? If there is support from the United States, Tainan will soon be able to decline. If not, then there will be no hope.

"There is one thing that needs no denial, that is, Li Mingxun has a high recognition of you, and can be seen in terms of assistance, of course, no one knows why. But I don't think Li Mingxun will give you Tainan to you. Tainan is now owned by the Netherlands. If you want to change a master, it must be the United States. You should put others sleeping soundly on the side of the bed. You have to think clearly that when you are not sure, don't act rashly, whether it is behavior or speech!" Zeng Ying persuaded, while speaking, putting a newspaper in front of Zheng Chenggong.

Zheng Chenggong picked up the newspaper and glanced at it. There was a hint of embarrassment on his face. The content of the newspaper was very long, but the meaning was very clear. First, he discussed the ownership of Taiwan Island and believed that it was the land of the Ming Kingdom. Even if it was not, it should be the land of China. Even if it was not discussed, it also demonstrated the importance of Taiwan Island against the Qing Dynasty. Then he accused the United States of expressing dissatisfaction with the Dutch's inaction to steal Tainan.

Obviously, this is Zheng Chenggong's method. If this debate continues, the final outcome should be that the United States should assist Zheng Chenggong in regaining Tainan, and so on...

"The United States is a country of the merchant class. These great names are insignificant to them, so Tainan should not consider it." Zeng Ying said.

"Qiongzhou belongs to Lin Shizhang, Zhoushan belongs to the Lu Jian Kingdom, and there is no place to build a base on the eastern coast. Tainan is the only choice. If it fails, it has to go to Southeast Asia." Zheng Chenggong said.

"Then go to Nanyang." Zeng Ying said immediately.

Zheng Chenggong said: "Mr. Nanyang is damp and hot, and our tribe is not easy to survive. In the early stage of colonization, he invested a lot. What's more, the South China Sea was trapped in the sea and was surrounded by enemies on all sides. If there is a conflict, the entire army would be destroyed."

Zeng Ying raised her hand and reminded: "You don't need to complain to me in the country. I know that I am the one you can find, the most influence on Li Mingxun, but you must also be clear that Li Mingxun started in Taiwan eight years ago. In eight years, he was so powerful that he was influenced by others. So what if he was my grandson-in-law? So what if his eldest son has my Zeng bloodline? This is a major event in the country and a strategic layout, which concerns the survival of the nation. How can he deal with personal affairs?"

After Zeng Ying was told about his worries, Zheng Chenggong looked helpless and silent for a while, saying, "Then we can only lie dormant and wait for the opportunity. Now we have accumulated strength in the South Ao area and wait for the world to change greatly, and then we will plan to revive it."

"Actually not." Zeng Ying said, giving Zheng Chenggong a glimmer of hope.

"I just said that Li Mingxun highly recognizes you, far beyond your strength. You might as well discuss it with him. The world is so great that there are always loyal and righteous people to stay in. Li Mingxun is now uniting all parties in anti-Qing forces, so you will naturally not be excluded. Moreover, the national surname only cares about seeking help from Japan. Don't you care about the changes in Japan?" Zeng Ying said with a smile.

"Japan?" Zheng Chenggong was suspicious. He suddenly remembered something and said, "I know that when Li Mingxun founded the country this time, he sent a special envoy to Japan earlier to discuss the establishment of diplomatic relations and trade. When he heard from Japan, everything went smoothly."

"One side of Nagasaki is smooth, where is the north?" Zeng Ying asked in a temptation.

"North, north..., the old man is talking about the Hokkien land. Yes, the United States has been arguing about the ownership of the Hokkien land, otherwise the United States' special envoy would have come back long ago. But what does this have to do with me? The Hokkien land is far away in the North Sea, a bitter and cold place. Going here, crossing the sea thousands of miles, how can these military ships and merchant boats under my command arrive?" Zheng Chenggong shook his head helplessly.

Zeng Ying smiled: "The words of the Guo family are useless. I am not asking you to occupy the Hokkien, but just mentioning the dispute between Japan and the United States of America. Please think about the Guo family. Now that the United States and Japan are in full swing, how to start the war easily? If it is negotiation or other means, among the United States allies, there are some people in Japan. You Zheng's family has many relationships in Japan. If Li Mingxun wants something, you are the only choice. At that time, you should be able to put forward some conditions. Even if overseas breeding is not allowed, you can get real benefits. This trip to Taiwan is worth it."
Chapter completed!