Chapter 417: Beating the Cao Family

PS: There is still a chapter below. I originally wanted to write six more chapters, but this time will definitely not be completed. Let’s move this update to tomorrow and continue to five more. Of course, Snail will also work hard. If I can write two more chapters, I will write two more chapters. chapter.

Outside Lin'an City.

Cao Zhengtong, who was about to set off, suddenly learned that the fleet of the King of Chu had been defeated by the Dutch. The fleeing people and the scattered soldiers described the fighting scene as very terrifying.

With a faint sigh, Cao Zhengtong urged the carriage to move forward. Just as his father had expected, the King of Chu's fleet was nothing but a pretence and was vulnerable to a single blow.

Along the official road of Lin'an City, he went north, and after rushing the road for seven consecutive days, he finally saw the legendary Qingzhou City.

At this time, Cao Zhengyang was waiting for him on the dock outside Qingzhou City, and the servant had arrived in advance to inform Cao Zhengyang of his arrival.

"Big brother." Cao Zhengyang looked at Cao Zhengtong, who was a little pale, and asked, "Big brother, is there something wrong at home, father?"

"Don't worry, my father has nothing to do. It is my father's order to come to Qingzhou this time. By the way, you will bring King Qi in front of me now. I have something important to tell King Qi." Cao Zhengtong said.

He is the direct 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 the Prince of Qi's mansion. After the announcement, they waited for the reception of the Prince of Qi.

In the palace, Xiao Ming was explaining the knowledge in the book to Fei Yue'er. These days Fei Yue'er was completely indulged in the books he gave. If there was something she didn't understand, she would ask Xiao Ming in time.

"His Royal Highness, Cao Zhengtong and Cao Zhengyang, the direct sons of the Cao family, ask to see you," said the servant who guarded the gate.

Xiao Ming frowned. This was Cao Zhengtong's first time in Qingzhou. He said, "Let them come in."

"His Royal Highness, the concubine will retire first." Fei Yue'er is very sensible, and every time a guest comes over, she will take the initiative to avoid it.

Xiao Ming nodded. These days, he and Fei Yue'er became more and more like husband and wife, and they got along very naturally.

Fei Yue'er left, and the servant came over with two men, one of them was Cao Zhengyang, and the other was probably Cao Zhengtong.

"Cao Zhengtong, Caomin, has seen His Royal Highness King Qi." Cao Zhengtong and Cao Zhengyang bowed and saluted at the same time.

With a wave of his hand, Xiao Ming looked at Cao Zhengtong, "Zhengyang said that you are frail and sick, and Lin'an, where you have been living, basically doesn't go out. Why did you have to go to Qingzhou this time?"

"Go back to Your Highness, this time Caomin went to Qingzhou because of his father's order. At the same time, he sent a message to His Highness that the fleet of King Chu and the Dutch went to war, and they were defeated."

"Oh?" Xiao Ming was stunned. He has always been extremely vigilant about the King of Chu. Various news from the secret guards have proved that the King of Chu is stirring up the wind and rain. Even the King of Qinglong has something to do with the King of Chu. The fleet of the King of Chu was captured by the Netherlands. People beat him to vent his anger. He smiled and said, "But this matter has nothing to do with this king."

Cao Zhengtong was stunned, and he said loudly: "Your Highness does not know, now a new Dutch earl has come to Ryukyu Island, his name is Claire. Since he came, other merchant ships have been prohibited from participating in maritime trade. It is for this reason that Chu The king will go to war with the Dutch, and now in this Great Yu country, only His Royal Highness can build a warship that rivals the Dutch fleet, and only His Highness can defeat the Dutch and regain the maritime trade rights of the Great Yu Country."

"Maritime trade right?" Xiao Ming sneered, "Isn't this maritime trade always monopolized by the king of Chu? Even the king of Wei has to be angry with the king of Chu, and this king has nothing to do with maritime trade right." Xiao Ming said lazily.

"Doesn't your Highness want it? It's a pity. If Your Highness has mastered the maritime trade, with Qingzhou's commodities, within a few years, Qingzhou will be able to become rich." Cao Zhengtong said.

His eyes narrowed dangerously, Xiao Ming glanced at Cao Zhengtong lightly, he said: "If you have something to say, let's say it directly, this king doesn't like to go around, your father didn't let you come to Qingzhou just to tell the king of Chu that he was embarrassed. thing."

"Your Highness is wise, this time my father asked Caomin to contribute to His Highness' shipyard. It is well known that there are many shipyards in the south of the Yangtze River. Eighty percent of the merchant ships in the Great Yu Kingdom come from the south of the Yangtze River. Only the shipyards under the Cao family have There are thirteen of these shipbuilding workshops. Six of these shipbuilding workshops are in the fief of the King of Chu, and seven are located in other places. If His Highness wishes, Caomin can move all the shipbuilding workshops to Dengzhou, and help His Highness build Dengzhou into a shipbuilding complex. Industry center." Cao Zheng said solemnly.

"Then what do you want?" Xiao Ming said.

"Like the Northern Expedition, if His Highness gets a trade route in the future, please allow the merchant ships of the Cao family to participate in maritime trade." Cao Zhengtong said.

The real purpose of his visit this time is this. The defeat of the King of Chu means that the route of the Cao family's wealth has been cut off, and the ability of the King of Chu cannot be recaptured.

But their Cao family knew the battleships in Qingzhou, and they also knew what the three battleships in Qingzhou had done. They dared to fight with the British fleet and sank the British battleships.

It was because of this that the Cao family decided to bet on King Qi.

"Hahaha..." Xiao Ming laughed, "Your Cao family is indeed rich in financial resources. Now the large grasslands in Youzhou belong to your Cao family, and the banks in these six states are also yours. Now you have to participate in the trade route. Are you ready to buy this king's fief at this time?"

Although Xiao Ming was smiling, Cao Zhengtong felt chills all over his body. He suddenly realized something and said cautiously: "Your Highness, our Cao family is just a businessman, and this move is also to preserve the foundation of the Cao family. The Cao family is sharpening their knives, we are just trying to survive, please rest assured, Your Highness, since we have entered Qingzhou, our Cao family is His Highness’s servants.”

"Hey, it's best for you to know this. This king's fief is a place where commerce can circulate freely. This king is also very tolerant of merchants, but there are some things that your merchants can't touch, understand?"

Cao Zhengyang's back has been soaked in cold sweat. He has lived in Qingzhou for a long time and naturally understands this King Qi, who is a real dangerous person.

Cao Zhengtong said cautiously: "Your Highness, Caomin understands, our Cao family is willing to help His Highness build a shipbuilding workshop. As for the future, just follow His Highness's instructions."

"It's almost the same." Xiao Ming resumed his smile.

As soon as the Cao family came to the fief, they would make a deal with themselves. They would reach out to ask for this and that. If they don’t beat them now, they will not go to heaven in the future.

Cao Zhengtong broke into a cold sweat. This time it was indeed his mistake. He should discuss this matter with Cao Zhengyang first.

"If you can help this king to build a shipbuilding workshop, this king will naturally repay in the future. Remember, you can take what this king gives you, and what this king does not give you, you can't have ideas." Xiao Ming reminded.

Cao Zhengtong and Cao Zhengyang nodded again.

Xiao Ming waved his hand and told the two to leave. At this time, the police called Wang Xuan over and said, "Now go and collect the news of Chu and report it to this king."