Chapter 417: Pressuring the Cao Family
Outside Lin’an city.
Just as Cao Zhengtong was about to depart, he received news that the Chu King’s fleet had been defeated by the Dutch. The fleeing civilians and scattered soldiers described the battle as terrifying.
He sighed softly and urged the carriage forward. Just as his father predicted, the Chu King’s fleet was all show and easily broken.
Traveling north along the official road from Lin’an, after seven days of nonstop travel, he finally arrived at the legendary Qingzhou city.
Outside Qingzhou, at the docks, Cao Zhengyang was waiting for him. The servants had already informed Cao Zhengyang of his arrival.
“Big brother,” Cao Zhengyang looked at Cao Zhengtong, whose face was pale, and asked, “Big brother, did something happen at home? Where is father?”
“Don’t worry, father is fine. This trip to Qingzhou is by father’s order. By the way, take me to see the Qi King immediately. I have important matters to tell him,” Cao Zhengtong said.
As the rightful heir, Cao Zhengtong had much higher status than Cao Zhengyang in the family.
Cao Zhengyang nodded and led Cao Zhengtong to the Qi King’s mansion. After reporting, they waited for the king’s audience.
Inside the palace, Xiao Ming was explaining the knowledge from the books to Fei Yue’er. Recently, Fei Yue’er had completely immersed herself in the books Xiao Ming gave her, always asking whenever something was unclear.
“Your Highness, the Cao family heirs Cao Zhengtong and Cao Zhengyang request an audience,” said a servant at the door.
Xiao Ming frowned. This was Cao Zhengtong’s first visit to Qingzhou. “Let them in.”
“Your Highness, I will take my leave now,” Fei Yue’er said obediently. She always avoided guests.
Xiao Ming nodded. These days, he and Fei Yue’er were more like a real married couple, very natural together.
Fei Yue’er left, and the servant led the two men inside. One was Cao Zhengyang, the other likely Cao Zhengtong.
“Your servant Cao Zhengtong greets Qi King,” both bowed.
Waving his hand, Xiao Ming looked at Cao Zhengtong. “Zhengyang said you are frail and often stayed indoors in Lin’an. Why undertake this long journey to Qingzhou?”
“Your Highness, this trip is by my father’s order. I also bring news that the Chu King’s fleet fought the Dutch and lost.”
“Oh?” Xiao Ming paused. He was always wary of the Chu King. His secret agents had proven the Chu King stirred trouble, even having ties with the Azure Dragon King. The Chu King’s fleet being defeated by the Dutch was like revenge on his behalf. He smiled, “But what does this have to do with me?”
Cao Zhengtong was stunned. He said loudly, “Your Highness, you may not know. A new Dutch Earl named Blake has arrived at Ryukyu Island. Since then, he has banned other merchants from sea trade. This caused the Chu King to go to war with the Dutch. Only Your Highness can build warships to rival the Dutch fleet and defeat them, reclaiming Great Yu’s maritime trade rights.”
“Maritime trade rights?” Xiao Ming scoffed, “Hasn’t the Chu King always monopolized maritime trade? Even Wei King has to take his anger. I have nothing to do with maritime trade.”
“Don’t you want it, Your Highness? What a pity. If you control maritime trade, Qingzhou’s goods could make Qingzhou rich in just a few years,” Cao Zhengtong said.
Xiao Ming narrowed his eyes dangerously and glanced at Cao Zhengtong. “Say what you want straight. I don’t like beating around the bush. Your father didn’t send you just to tell me how the Chu King made a fool of himself.”
“Your Highness is wise. My father sent me to contribute to Your Highness’s shipyards. Everyone knows Jiangnan has many shipyards. Eighty percent of Great Yu’s merchant ships come from Jiangnan. Our Cao family alone owns thirteen shipyards—six in the Chu King’s territory, seven elsewhere. If you agree, we can move them all to Dengzhou and help build it into a shipbuilding center.”
“What do you want in return?” Xiao Ming asked.
“Like the Northern Campaign, if Your Highness gains trade routes, please allow Cao family merchant ships to participate in sea trade,” Cao Zhengtong said.
That was his true purpose. The Chu King’s defeat meant the Cao family’s trade route was cut off, and the Chu King couldn’t recover it.
But they knew about Qingzhou’s warships and their deeds—they dared challenge and sink British warships.
Because of this, the Cao family decided to back Qi King.
“Hahaha…” Xiao Ming laughed. “The Cao family really has wealth. Your grasslands in Youzhou are vast, and the banks in these six prefectures are yours. Now you want to join trade routes too? Are you planning to buy my fiefdom?”
Though smiling, Cao Zhengtong felt chills. He suddenly realized something and cautiously said, “Your Highness, we are just merchants trying to preserve our foundation. The Chu King is sharpening his knives against us. We only want to survive. Please rest assured, now that we are in Qingzhou, the Cao family is Your Highness’s subject.”
“Hmph. Good you know that. My fiefdom is a place of free commerce. I am tolerant to merchants, but some things you merchants must not touch. Understand?”
Cold sweat soaked Cao Zhengyang’s back. Having lived in Qingzhou, he knew this Qi King was truly dangerous.
Cao Zhengtong said cautiously, “Your Highness, I understand. Our family will help build the shipyards and obey your orders.”
“That’s better.” Xiao Ming smiled again.
The Cao family came to the fief and immediately asked for this and that. If he didn’t put pressure on them now, they’d act like they owned the place, thinking Qingzhou was some Western free capital country where they could demand anything.
Cao Zhengtong inwardly broke out in cold sweat. This was indeed his mistake. He should have discussed this with Cao Zhengyang first.
“If you help build the shipyards, I will repay you. Remember, what I give you you may take; what I don’t give you, don’t expect,” Xiao Ming warned.
Both Cao Zhengtong and Cao Zhengyang nodded again.
Xiao Ming waved them off. Then he called Wang Xuan and said, “Go gather news from Chu territory and report to me.”