When Hu Xiaotian walked out of the room again, his expression became more and more solemn, after he said goodbye to Qin Yutong, he was about to go back to discuss matters, just as he was about to go out, he suddenly heard a majestic voice behind him: "My lord, maybe I can help a little" Hu Xiaotian turned around to look, but it was Chang Fanqi who spoke, Hu Xiaotian was overjoyed: "Brother Fanqi, let's move and talk." ” The two left Tongrentang and came to Hu Xiaotian's mansion together, at this time Li Mingcheng was already waiting here, Li Mingcheng had prepared a sea chart, spread it out on the table.
Hu Xiaotian pointed to the Langya Bay on the chart and said: "They were ambushed here, according to Hu Pi, the pirates had dozens of warships besieging their fleet at that time, including three heavy warships. ” Li Mingcheng muttered: "How can these rabble have heavy warships" Chang Fanqi said: "The pirates of Python Jiao Island are not a rabble, the head of the thieves is named Yan Tianlu, but the uncle of Yan Dongsheng, the king of Bohai Kingdom, and later because of the defeat in the fight for the throne, he had to lead his subordinates to flee from Bohai Kingdom, and he raised the banner to become a pirate, he also changed his name, changed the face of Yan to the Yan of the King of Hades, and openly drew a line with the Bohai Yan Dynasty, speaking of which he has been a pirate for more than 30 years, Yan Tianlu should be almost seventy years old now. ” Hu Xiaotian didn't expect Chang Fanqi to be so familiar with the pirates of Python Jiao Island, so he humbly asked: "Brother Fanqi knows the true strength of Python Island."
Chang Fanqi nodded and said: "I understand a little, because the Bohai Kingdom has asked Emperor Dayong for help many times before, and wants to beg Dayong to send troops to help destroy Python Jiao Island, and the emperor has also agreed to come down, and he was going to send Marshal Wei Chi to go in person, and I was still in Marshal Wei Chi's army at the time."
So a lot of effort was done in advance, but later the emperor dispelled the idea of attacking Python Island, and claimed that the cost was too great, but in fact it was because Python Island also sent envoys to Yongdu to secretly negotiate peace. ” Hu Xiaotian said: "It must be that he can get benefits on both sides, so he just turned a blind eye." ” Chang Fanqi didn't speak, but actually acquiesced to Hu Xiaotian's statement.
Hu Xiaotian said: "I thought this pirate army was a ragtag army.
It's also a regular army after a long time.
I couldn't help but have some complaints about Hu Zhongyang in my heart, he didn't say it so clearly when he left before, if he knew that Python Jiaodao had such a strong strength, he might send more people, but it was already here, and it was useless to complain.
Li Mingcheng sighed and said: "Hu Zhongyang is a businessman, but the 1,000 sailors are our disciples, I don't know what the casualties are" He meant that Hu Zhongyang's life and death did not matter, but the safety of the 1,000 sailors was a big deal.
Hu Xiaotian was able to Li Mingcheng to say this.
However, he couldn't agree with this matter, and he said in a low voice: "Dongliang County is the same for both military and civilians, and it is equally important in our hearts. ” Chang Fanqi looked at Hu Xiaotian silently, secretly wondering in his heart, I don't know how Hu Xiaotian will deal with this matter In fact, even if this kind of thing happens in Dayong, it is very likely that it will not be done in the end, and it will be a long time to fight against pirates.
In the vast sea, half of the victory or defeat depends on the will of God.
Who would take such a big risk for the sake of a caravan, a thousand soldiers Hu Xiaotian said: "Salute them first and then soldiers, if they are willing to release the caravan and our people, then this matter will be stopped, if they are unwilling, I will let Python Jiao Island completely disappear from the sea chart" His words were categorical.
There is no room for manoeuvre.
Chang Fanqi secretly praised in his heart, but this person is different, he is so decisive in handling things, and there is no hesitation in the slightest, no wonder he can gain a firm foothold here.
Li Mingcheng said: "Then who should be sent over to send an envoy?"
Traveling to Python Island is indeed an extremely risky thing.
After all, Python Island is a group of cold-blooded and cruel pirates, so they don't talk about benevolence and morality.
Chang Fanqi said: "If Lord Hu can trust me, Fanqi is willing to go to Python Jiao Island." ” Hu Xiaotian's eyes lit up, Chang Fanqi treated himself negatively, and now his attitude gradually became positive, Hu Xiaotian of course understood that Chang Fanqi was not really willing to surrender to himself now, the reason why he was willing to help him do things was mainly to repay his kindness, Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said: "It's not that I don't trust you, but this time the risk is extremely high, I must plan carefully before I can make a final decision."
Brother Fanqi, I can guarantee that if you go to Python Island, you will definitely lead the army. ” Chang Fanqi's heart was shocked, his eyes were full of incredulity, Hu Xiaotian actually made such a promise, it can be described as extremely bold, he actually wanted to hand over the task of conquering Python Jiaodao to himself, isn't he worried that he will betray him He has to admit that he is really moved, he has been in the army for so many years, he has never been so trusted and valued, he suddenly remembered a sentence, the soldier dies for his confidant, Hu Xiaotian treats himself like this, how can he be treacherous Although Hu Xiaotian made the decision to salute first and then soldier, he didn't know much about the situation on Python Island, so he couldn't make a decision in a hurry, and what he didn't expect was that the envoys of Python Island arrived in Dongliang County the day after Hu Pi returned, and this time he made a special trip to talk to Hu Xiaotian about conditions.
The envoy sent by Python Jiao Island this time was Luo Qianfu, the fifth-ranked leader of Python Jiao Island, who came alone this time and did not bring anyone with him.
Hu Xiaotian met Luo Qianfu in the Taishou Mansion, this person is more than forty years old, black and thin, came to Hu Xiaotian and saluted with his fists, neither humble nor arrogant: "Luo Qianfu, the messenger of Python Island, see Lord Hu" Hu Xiaotian smiled slightly and said: "I have heard the name of Python Jiao Island for a long time, and the heroes who have seen Python Jiao Island today are really worthy of their reputation." ” Luo Qianfu smiled and said: "People can't be good-looking, the sea water can't be measured, Lord Hu is disgusted with Luo's ugly appearance" Hu Xiaotian said with a smile: "The envoy has misunderstood, please sit down and watch the tea" Luo Qianfu said: "Lord Hu is polite, Luo Mou came this time on the order of the island master, and he will return immediately after the order, and he does not dare to delay." ” Hu Xiaotian nodded.
Luo Qianfu said: "Our Python Island has always had no quarrel with the world, but Lord Hu sent warships to harass our territory, slaughtered my brother, and took the initiative to provoke disputes. ” Hu Xiaotian sneered: "Where did the envoy say these words, I sent the warship to escort the caravan, how the matter was provoked, you and I know it, why bother to say secret words in front of the Ming, laugh and be generous."
Luo Qianfu's smile remained unchanged: "If your Excellency thinks so, I can't help it, but now we have captured a total of eight hundred and twenty-three Dakang soldiers, as well as five hundred and seventy-two caravan members, and the owner of the island has the virtue of a good life. ” Of course, Hu Xiaotian understood that there were no such cheap good things in the world, so he took a sip of tea and said, "Tell me, what are the conditions?"
Luo Qianfu said with a smile: "My lord really understands people, my island owner said, these 1,395 people, each person's life is worth 2,000 catties of grain, 100 taels of gold, if the adults take care of their lives, they will use 25,000 stone grain 139,500 taels of gold in exchange, the owner of the grain has been erased, but the gold is not less, and it will be sent to Python Island within half a month, otherwise every day passes, there will be a hundred heads on the ground." ” Hu Xiaotian said coldly: "Threaten me" Luo Qianfu smiled: "It's not a threat, but a piece of advice, of course, adults can also choose to ignore it, if you don't plan to save their lives, you can give me a clear word, I will go back and tell the island master to throw these more than 1,000 captives into the sea and feed the sharks, it is better than letting them waste food." ” Hu Xiaotian said: "You said fifteen days is fifteen days, in such a short period of time, let me go where to prepare so much gold to help me return to your island master, give me ten more days, and I will definitely deliver the ransom within twenty-five days."
Luo Qianfu didn't object, he bowed his hand and said goodbye: "Lord Hu is really happy, twenty-five days is twenty-five days, I will go back to the island master immediately, and wait for Lord Hu's good news." ” Hu Xiaotian said sharply: "Slow" Luo Qianfu stopped and said with a smile: "What else do you have to say?"
Hu Xiaotian said: "One thousand three hundred and ninety-five people, if there is one less, you will not even get a ransom or a grain of food, so you had better treat those captives well, treat them if they are injured, treat them if they are sick, and don't treat them badly if they are fed and clothed, I will not let you pay in vain, as long as they are fed and clothed, I will give you 150,000 taels of gold at that time." ” Luo Qianfu said with a smile: "Your Excellency, don't worry about it, we will definitely entertain those captives well." ” After Luo Qianfu left, Hu Xiaotian called Xia Changming and asked him to follow Luo Qianfu's whereabouts, and Xia Changming followed him out for about two hours before returning.
He reported to Hu Xiaotianyu: "Lord Qiyu, Luo Qianfu is a beast master, and his mount is a gray eagle, which is not slow, and he should be able to reach Python Island in one day." ” Hu Xiaotian nodded, at this time Li Changming and Zhao Wusheng arrived together, Zhao Wusheng was after getting the news, he crossed the river from Wuxing County overnight, but he was a little late and did not meet with the envoy of Python Jiaodao.
Hu Xiaotian told the news brought by Luo Qianfu, and Zhao Wusheng said angrily: "It's really unreasonable, a group of pirates who burned, killed and looted actually blackmailed to the door." ” Hu Xiaotian said: "They are not ordinary pirates, Yan Tianlu was the Bohai royal family back then, most of the pirates under his command were Bohai soldiers who defected with him, these people are well-trained and good at water warfare, and they have been entrenched in that sea area for a long time, and they are very familiar with the surrounding situation." ” Zhao Wusheng said: "What is the lord going to do, is he really going to send them food and gold?"