"It's a … small, but for a long time, a kingdom that dominated the seas. They have only about a million people there, and the land area is about the same size as our current Fujian. "Yang Ling patiently explained to Cheng Qiyun.
"Well, then her real identity is …?"
"She is a local nobleman. Her grandfather had followed King Joao I of Portugal's third prince, Henry, on a voyage and made many achievements. But Prince Henry had no interest in politics. He later went to the southernmost part of Lisbon, far from the capital, to serve as governor of a place called Agave Province, where he founded the Nautical Academy.
His follower, Adeni's grandfather, also lived there. Two years ago, some radical naval officers thought that King John II's maritime policy was not active enough, and at the same time showed too much weakness in the process of competing with Spain for new territories, so they planned a mutiny.
As a seafaring family, Adeni's family had a great influence in the navy. Her family was also an important supporter, and it was her uncle, a fanatical sea adventurer, who was actively involved in the matter.
Adeni was a nobleman, the only legal heir to her father's title and territory, and had inherited the title of baron very early. She was a genius girl herself. She was proficient in all kinds of nautical knowledge. At the age of 14, she improved two important nautical instruments, the quadrant and the horizontal line, and modified the compass and hourglass passed by our Ming Destiny to be more accurate. This was of great significance to Portugal, which relied on navigation to maintain the country's prosperity.
For this, the king awarded her the highest medal of honor, and made an exception to allow her to become a soldier, serving as a trainee instructor at the Francisco Maritime Academy. But the bad thing was that in order to gain experience and actual combat, Adeni entrusted her most trusted uncle with the supervision of her seal, territory, and property during the expedition with Da Gama, the commander of the Indian Ocean Navy. Therefore, she could not distinguish responsibility for the coup d 'état and could not get out of it.
After the aborted coup attempt, the country sent the arrested conspirators to the guillotine one by one and ordered the expeditionary force commander, Da Gama, to immediately send people to escort Adeni back to the country for trial. Fortunately, the naval commander was very fond of the female captain of the General Staff and treated her as his own daughter. After receiving the news, he quietly informed her and told her to escape immediately.
Shortly after Adeni escaped, she was captured by the pirate Pedro, who was exploring the East. Because Adeni was proficient in all kinds of nautical knowledge, and specialized in geography, meteorology, trade winds, ocean currents, and artillery, especially those that pirates were not very proficient in, she was regarded as a treasure by Pedro. Her position on the pirate ship was very special. She was both a prisoner and an instructor for the pirates. "
A strange light flashed in Cheng Qiyun's eyes as she praised, "What an amazing girl with a legendary experience. Hehe, I really couldn't tell that she had such great ability."
Yang Ling smiled and said, "The knowledge of the nobles there is very varied. Not only does she know this, but she also knows the languages of several countries. She has also dabbled in politics, economics, military affairs, and theology. But these things are not very useful to the pirates.
After they grasped enough knowledge to be a pirate, they were ready to get rid of Adeni. It just so happened that the Fur Seal sent people to the Luzon area to search for foreign women to give to me. Seeing Adeni, he thought that this woman should make this governor happy, so he bought her for me with a lot of money. Hahaha … This governor is indeed very happy, very happy. "
Yang Ling was laughing so hard that he could hardly open his eyes.
He only scared Adeni to ask about the mysteries of western artillery. How could he know that his luck would be so good as to send him a female knight and instructor who was proficient in firearms, tactics of western ships, and had systematically learned about navigation, drawing, astronomy, and other knowledge.
Regardless of whether her tactics and knowledge of navigation were superior to that of the Ming Destiny Navy, just her understanding of the officer training system was absolutely scientific and correct in the embryonic form of a modern military school.
She alone was equivalent to eight sailors. Whether it was software or hardware, the Ming Destiny Navy was going to be completely changed. It seemed that after returning to the capital, he would have to tell the emperor to prepare for the establishment of the Ming Destiny Royal Navy Academy. Ming Destiny's position in the Great Voyage could not be lost, and Ming Destiny's naval officers must be qualified officers who had undergone rigorous training.
"Praise God!" Yang Ling finished laughing and his expression changed. He said, "Because she heard that Ming Destiny was going to communicate with all the countries in the East and West, she was worried that we would establish foreign relations with Portugal and send her, a criminal, back to her country, so she didn't dare to reveal her true identity."
"Now she's spilling the beans, but she's crying and waiting for me to execute her. What do you think we should do?"
"Take it!"
"…" Yang Ling rolled his eyes helplessly and sighed. "I don't need to ask you!"
Seeing him turn to leave, Cheng Qiyun hurriedly shouted, "Otherwise, just say that Your Excellency is very sympathetic to her experience and decided to take her in and protect her."
Watching Yang Ling turn the corner of the corridor, Cheng Qiyun muttered in a low voice, "Tsk, she didn't use the simplest and most labor-saving … no, the simplest and most worry-saving method. She just had to ask for trouble! Do you think I can't see what she's thinking? "
Yang Ling returned to his study, where he had already called two bodyguards to guard. Adeni sat in a daze on the chair she usually sat on when debating with him, gently caressing the documents on the table. Her eyes were in a daze, and no one knew what she was thinking.
Western countries were utilitarian first. Even the regular army was full of deception and blood. Adeni had seen with her own eyes that Commander da Gama, whom she respected, had tricked the Sultan into boarding a ship for trade in Kilua, then treacherously detained him and forced him to pay an annual tribute to Portugal.
Near Cannanore, their army looted a Muslim ship returning from the Hajj in Mecca, then locked nearly four hundred people on board, including many women and children, in the cabin and burned them alive. In Calicut, as a show of force, they hanged 38 fishermen from the mast who had sold them fresh fish in a friendly manner, and then bombarded Calicut.
This elder, who was very kind and kind to her, was the commander of a fleet. He also ordered the soldiers to cut off the heads, hands, and feet of the hanged fishermen, throw the torsos into the sea, and then pile the severed limbs on a boat and send them back to the residents of the city to intimidate them and finally force them to agree to the Portuguese setting up a stronghold here and monopolizing the foreign trade of Cochin.
He could secretly let her run away, but if he knew that she had fallen into the hands of a regime that might be in contact with the Portuguese royal family, even he might try to get rid of her without mercy. This was not cold-bloodedness, but reality. The Portuguese had allowed a prince to be executed by the Moors rather than give up a port of Ceuta that had no interest in it.
Would Ming Destiny be an exception? Yang Ling was a governor, a marshal who commanded hundreds of thousands of troops. He had once ordered thousands of heads to be cut off, and was even more cold-blooded than Commander da Gama. Although he was good to her, how could a man in such a high position not weigh the gains and losses? How could he tolerate a criminal of a country that was about to open trade and had an unusually powerful navy?
Adeni did not dare to hope that Yang Ling would let her go, unless she was a rare commodity that could be hoarded and given to the Portuguese royal family as a friendly gift in the future. She would be taken back to her country and sent to the guillotine in Lisbon.
Yang Ling came back. She did not look up, but the familiar footsteps and his aura made her notice the approaching figure. Adeni slowly stood up, turned around, and stared into Yang Ling's eyes. "How are you going to deal with me, Your Excellency?"
Yang Ling said in surprise, "Deal with what? I think … you can stay by my side, join my General Staff Headquarters, and display your talents. What do you think? "
A trace of deep pain flashed through Adeni's eyes, and she smiled miserably: "Just like Captain Pedro? When my value has been squeezed out, return me to the Portuguese royal family in exchange for trust and friendship? "
As she spoke, her tears flowed. "Your Excellency, I would rather die in your hands. Kill me, don't send me here and there again. You … you can return my body to the Portuguese, but don't be cruel. Let me live to see you … see you betray me!"
Her body trembled, and she suddenly held onto the desk to support herself. Yang Ling was annoyed and stamped his feet. "Who said I used you and then betrayed you? Damn it, how dare you compare me to a mercenary pirate captain? "
Adeni looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Isn't that so?"
A mocking smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. "When you were in Suzhou, you said that I was your woman, and now you know that I am a criminal. You don't even dare to touch me. In order to avoid me, you let me join your General Staff Headquarters. Hahaha, just like Captain Pedro, I am his first officer, a prisoner's first officer … "
It was really impossible to reason with such a stubborn woman. Yang Ling was full of distress. "What is this, crying like this, why would I want to kill you?
Is it that if I don't want to cry, I have to make you bleed? Too evil, too evil … "
He closed his eyes and said helplessly, "What am I afraid of? Who wants to kill you? Forget it, you are my … fiancee, fiancee, right? "
"Fiancee?" Adeni chewed it over and understood the meaning. Her eyes were full of surprise, and she said to Yang Ling, "Is it true? I … can I reveal this identity? "
Seeing Yang Ling nod, she suddenly jumped over, wrapped her arms around Yang Ling's neck, and kissed him heavily on the lips. Then she moved away, blushing, and said with blurred eyes, "I believe you, Sir."
"But … why are your words always so strange? There are many words that I have never heard other Ming Destiny people say before."
Yang Ling laughed dryly. "This … I am proficient in the dialects of six provinces, which is equivalent to the six languages you are proficient in. I also know how to drink, play chess, fish, travel, and other professional skills. I am very knowledgeable."
Adeni burst into laughter, and suddenly stopped smiling. She frowned and said worriedly, "Is it really okay? Should I live incognito from now on? Our country's people are arriving in the east. I believe it won't be long before our country's fleet will appear in the South China Sea. If they find out about my existence, they will threaten to refuse the deal and demand me from Emperor Ming Destiny. Don't you have to listen to the emperor's orders? "
Yang Ling laughed. He waved his hand and said, "Impossible, impossible. In this world, no one can threaten Ming Destiny to hand over a woman to them. As for the threat of cutting off trade, that is even more ridiculous. Perhaps our Great Ming Dynasty can threaten them and claim that we only trade with the Western countries other than Portugal, thus forcing Portugal to hand over a princess. Who has the capital to threaten to cut off trade with the Great Ming Dynasty? Hahaha … "
※ ※ ※
"Sir has not been seen for three days. Yes, Fuzhou is very beautiful. I should take her out for a walk, fiancee." Cheng Qiyun's voice was obviously a little jealous. Seeing that Yang Ling had come, she was obviously full of joy, but still gave him a jealous look.
Her jealous expression was just right and not annoying. Her expression was charming and moving, indescribably wonderful. Endless amorous feelings were displayed in the moment her eyes moved.
"Hahaha." Yang Ling was obviously in a good mood. He sat down on the recliner that Cheng Qiyun had just sat on. The surface of the black bamboo chair was a little warm.
Cheng Qiyun whispered a few orders to the servant girl, then walked back gracefully. With a wave of her green sleeves, she sat down on the round chair next to him and said, "Sir, why do you have time to see me today?"
Yang Ling took a deep breath. The air was fresh, with the fragrance of flowers and plants.
After days of heat, last night's pitter-patter of rain fell intermittently all night, and it only stopped early in the morning. At this time, the bright and beautiful sunlight shone on the trees and flowers that were still condensed with raindrops and dew, bright and glistening.
Yang Ling lay on the chair, tiredly but excitedly stretched his body. He yawned and said, "I've been busy for three days. I'm exhausted. I've thrown all the work to you. I feel sorry, so I came to see my Sir Cheng."
Cheng Qiyun gave a 'humph', stood up and walked over to his side, gently massaging his sore shoulders and neck. She said, "When a person ascends to the throne, it is praising an official for three days, while a daren ascends to the throne, it is like a small ascends to the throne for three nights in the bridal chamber, how can it not be tired?"
In front of him was a pond of clear water. The lotus leaves on the water were clear and round. Each branch and vine was full and upright. The pink lotus that had just bloomed stood beautifully in the green leaves and clear water. On the broad and thick lotus leaves, water droplets rolled and fell with the wind. The ripples on the surface of the water. Yang Ling let out a comfortable hum. He only felt that his body and mind were happy and floating.
Cheng Qiyun knew what he had been busy with these past few days, so he didn't argue with her. He seemed to enjoy this kind of flirting and jealousy. He laughed twice and said, "Yes, yes, I'm tired, but tired is comfortable."
Cheng Qiyun's hand exerted more force and squeezed twice. Yang Ling chuckled and crossed his hands on his abdomen. He opened his eyes and looked up at the pretty face above his head. "The first cannon has been tested. Elder Zheng is indeed someone who has played with cannons all his life. With the expert Adeni's guidance, yes! The test was very successful. "
He closed his eyes again and sighed with satisfaction. The complicated and desolate thoughts in his mind seemed to have disappeared in this fresh air. His mind was as clear as water without any impurities. Cheng Qiyun seemed to understand his mood and knew that he was really tired these three days. She looked at him with pity and the movements of her hands became gentle.
Yang Ling closed his eyes and seemed to fall asleep. After a while, he suddenly said, "Tell me about the current situation."
"Yes," Cheng Qiyun said, "The battles in Shandong and Jiangsu have basically ended, and the joint operation with Japan to suppress the bandits on the sea has also ended. Because the Nu Zhenrens have tasted the sweetness of abducting Japanese female slaves, they have recently carried out a series of robberies on various Japanese islands. The Japanese Navy has already returned to the mainland.
"A portion of the Wokou pirates in Zhejiang and here are concentrated in a few marshes and mountainous areas with complex terrain. They are currently fighting with our army. However, according to Sir's orders, the soldiers of the various guards have used the villages and towns as fortresses to block off traffic and coordinate with each other. They are steadily attacking and gradually compressing and destroying their area of activity. Now, the area that the Wokou pirates can move in is becoming smaller and smaller."
"However, there are too many islands in this area that are not recorded in our census and nautical charts. The situation of the sea routes is also complicated. In addition, the fur seals and snow cats are entrenched on the most dangerous and difficult to attack large islands. It is difficult for our navy to penetrate deep and attack. A considerable portion of the Wokou pirates have already retreated to the sea and are waiting for an opportunity to move."
"As for the Wokou pirates in the Guangdong area, it is much simpler. Their retreat to the north has been blocked by Bai Xiaocao. The Inspection Division is guarding Dongpenghu. Further south is the territory of the western pirates. Right now, we are in a situation where we can close the door and beat the dogs."
"Oh, it seems that to completely solve the chaos in Zhejiang and Fujian, the two obstacles, the snow cats and the fur seals, must be removed first. Otherwise, with these two stumbling blocks there, the Wokou pirates will inevitably rise again. Have they made any movements recently? "
"There hasn't been any movement, but we won't be able to observe for much longer. Ever since Your Excellency sent troops to be stationed in Ryukyu and Bai Xiaocao announced that she would accept the offer of amnesty, I immediately cut off all contact with these two pirates. If we continue to enthusiastically recruit them now, they will instead become suspicious. This lowly official is waiting for them to come find me. When it is time to put on airs, you should put on airs. Rushing to do something isn't a good deal, hee hee. "
Yang Ling very naturally pulled on her hand and Cheng Qiyun meekly moved from the head of the recliner to his side. A faint feminine fragrance was refreshing to the heart.
"After the navy's reorganization, we have just begun to see results. We still haven't had a proper naval battle with the Wokou pirates. It looks like the true test will be the battle with the western pirates." Yang Ling said as he opened his eyes.
Cheng Qiqi was wearing a light and soft dress. Because she had been working in the rear courtyard for a long time, the light and soft dress was loose and loose for comfort. However, she was a natural beauty and there was no way to conceal her sexy aura.
Although after following Yang Ling, her clothes had become more and more elegant and she no longer had a frivolous smile or behavior, her existence itself was a silent temptation.
She was quiet and elegant, filled with a seductive charm. The light and soft silk robe couldn't hide the softness of her waist. The gentle breeze brought her undulating curves and tall and firm breasts to Yang Ling's eyes.
"The navy still needs to continue suppressing the pirates. Even if there aren't many pirates on the water that can be suppressed, we can just treat it as training. I have already urgently reported to the Ministry of War and requested the North and South Military Bureau to immediately stop casting the original bronze and iron cannons for ships and change to these new cannons from the Frang machine. "
At this point, Yang Ling became spirited again, "These cannons are divided into three types: heavy, medium, and light. There are five models. The heavy and medium cannons have a range of six li and are most effective within two hundred zhang. According to Adni, if we build a super heavy cannon to guard the fortress and place it on the top of the city, it can fire ten li at the right angle. If it is loaded with explosive shells, its power will be very great. "
"Why do their cannons fire so fast? I heard that the main reason why the pirates failed to use our warships was because they couldn't compare to the Westerners with the same number of cannons. "As Cheng Qiyun spoke, she very naturally sat next to Yang Ling.
Both of them were dressed very lightly. As they sat next to Yang Ling's thigh, Yang Ling could clearly feel the softness and fullness of her buttocks.
His voice tightened as he continued, "It's not just the firing speed. This type of cannon has a front sight and a rear shutter. The aiming effect is relatively good. The design of its mount is also very reasonable. It can move up and down, left and right. The outside of the cannon is wrapped in cork and an explosion-proof iron hoop is added. "
When the two people's bodies touched, they were a little uncomfortable and nervous. However, they had a tacit understanding and neither of them moved. This kind of warm body contact made the two, who weren't ignorant youths, feel their hearts beat as if they were in love for the first time.
"Then why does it fire so fast? Is there another trick? "Cheng Qiyun seemed to be very interested.
"I've seen the blueprints drawn by Adni, and I've seen the craftsmen reverse molding, casting, polishing, and completing a series of procedures until it can be used. But to be honest, I still don't understand the specific process, so I can only give a simple explanation. This kind of Western cannon is filled with an independent barrel in the barrel. It's called a heart cannon, so the cannon actually has two layers of barrels.
The inner barrel has the amount of gunpowder pre-calculated and stored. The firing interval is short, so a cannon only needs to be equipped with a few more of these heart cannons, which can be replaced after firing, and the firing speed is extremely fast. Think about it, how can you endure this kind of war? Here you're lying on the muzzle and stuffing gunpowder inside, turning the ship into a sieve …
Moreover, this kind of gun barrel that is connected to the front and back can be cleaned quickly, dissipate heat quickly, and the amount of gunpowder is accurate, so it's not easy to explode. Because it's a two-layer barrel, the most vulnerable part is the lower barrel, and only the lower barrel needs to be replaced. It also has a long service life. "
"Hmm …" Cheng Qiyun clearly had no interest in firearms, but she pretended to listen with great interest. Her eyes turned and she asked, "According to what Sir said, Adni knows a lot, and because she has the status of a fiancee, she is now at ease to serve Sir?"
Yang Ling's gaze focused and asked, "What do you mean?"
Those who have been in high positions for a long time have their own dignity. Yang Ling's gaze focused, and there was a bright penetrating power in his eyes, causing Cheng Qiyun's heart to palpitate.
How fast! When she first met him, that modest and amiable young imperial envoy who almost didn't understand any of the rules of officialdom was now not only holding great power, but also gradually maturing, possessing the wisdom and dignity of a high official who could oversee a region of the border. His body was also becoming stronger and stronger, and was no longer the weak and gentle young man from before.
That kind of mature and powerful gaze made Cheng Qiyun's heart throb: how sweet it would be to be in the arms of this man, to be hugged by his strong arms, and her heart would be as tranquil as a boat anchored in the harbor. Wasn't this kind of warmth, a kind of sustenance that women wanted?
She calmed herself down and smiled faintly, "I'm just reminding you that men can be loyal to you just because they are like-minded, because they have a bright future ahead of them, but women don't care about these things. If they are willing to accompany you without complaint or regret, and are willing to do anything for you, the only possibility is that they have fallen in love with you.
Adni is very smart, and she has experienced too many twists and turns, so her heart is full of vigilance. Right now, you are like a board she is holding on to when she is drowning, and can only temporarily calm her down. But when she thinks about how many wives and concubines you already have, she will become hesitant about her current identity and worry about gains and losses.
If Sir wants to calm her heart and want her to give without doubt, you can only give her a love and a home. This is not an exchange, not a utilitarian. Isn't she very cute? Besides you, who else can she love? "
Yang Ling stared at her. The breeze fluttered her sleeves, making the lines of her body gentle and smooth. Her pretty face and skin were like freshly peeled perfume pears, plump and moist, showing a unique elegant charm, and faintly exuding a faint breath of freshness. Those eyes, however, flickered, meeting his gaze, but also wanting to avoid it.
"In this confession, are you feeling sentimental for Adni, or for yourself? You are so busy for me, doing your best, is it also for this wish? "
The words were on the tip of his tongue, but Yang Ling swallowed them back. He didn't ask, but their eyes met, reading each other's thoughts. He understood. At this moment, the eyes really seemed to be able to speak. This was the feeling of having a telepathic connection.
A servant girl came over with a red lacquer tray. On the tray were two small blue and white porcelain bowls and two silver spoons.
Her arrival broke the silence between the two. Cheng Qiyun had the servant girl place the tray on the low table next to the reclining chair, and then gracefully picked up a bowl. Using the silver spoon, she stirred it a few times, scooped up a spoonful and gently brought it to Yang Ling's mouth.
It was sweet and cool. It was chilled fresh water chestnut, snow root, and lotus seed soup. The sweet and cool taste flowed all the way to his heart. What was even more satisfying was the beautiful woman who was like jade and water, and that gentle and leisurely attitude.
After drinking a bowl of chilled lake food, Yang Ling licked his lips and said, "It's very good. Adni is exhausted and went to sleep as soon as she came back. I'll send her a bowl later."
"No way!" Cheng Qiyun coquettishly glared at him, then immediately turned into a smile. "I've already prepared her portion and had someone bring it over. I also told her that her fiance … husband prepared it for her."
Yang Ling smiled bitterly. Cheng Qiyun put down the spoon and said with a light smile, "You're also tired. Rest here for a while. I'll play the flute for you."
A bamboo flute, carrying deep affection, rippled through the corridors, fish ponds, rockery, flowers, and trees like flowers blooming in the water, birds chirping and cicadas chirping.
The sun shone high in the sky, and the shadows of the trees swayed.
Under the grape trellis, sleeping by the pond, a slender woman played the flute.
This was such a beautiful thing in the world. In this place filled with the smoke of war and killing everywhere, it was unknown how many people would be envious.
A wave of tiredness gradually overcame him. Yang Ling closed his eyes and muttered, "The Cannon Forging Bureau is rushing to cast the Buddha cannon to equip the navy. There's nothing urgent right now. You're also tired. Tomorrow … I'll take you and Adni to the mountains to play, have a picnic, and fish … fish …"
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