Chapter 4: One person under, ten thousand people above?

  Ding Yunyi was appointed as the inspector of Penghu, but he was not happy about it. What could he do? This was a "good deed" done by his own "old man".

  Zou Weiyan took care of Ding Yunyi and gave him a sum of silver as a reward for his bravery in the naval battle, and also allowed him to choose two people from the army to follow him to Penghu.

  This inspection is quite miserable.

  Before he could come to his senses, his old man Ding Yuanzhao called him again. Although Ding Yunyi was unwilling, the other party was after all his "old man", and not seeing him would be unreasonable.

  As soon as he saw Ding Yuanshao, it was the same old thing, with a straight face all day, as if everyone owed him: "Xiang Wen, are you dissatisfied with my arrangement?"

  "I don't dare," Ding Yunwei said with a stiff upper lip.

  "Itemenna." Ding Yuanchao's tone suddenly became much softer: "Some things in my heart, it's not good to say in front of them, now that it's just you and me, father and son, I can tell you carefully without any harm."

  Ding Yunyi was taken aback, could it be that his old man still had some unspoken secrets?

  "Our great Ming dynasty today is a wise and sacred son, eliminating the Wei party, removing evil practices, rectifying court politics, this is indeed the most accomplished emperor since the founding of our great Ming dynasty." Ding Yuanzhao opened his mouth and spoke incessantly: "However, under the revival, the world is still not very peaceful. Rebels have risen in various places, and the bandits led by Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong, and Wang Dahu are the most powerful... After putting down one place, another group of bandits rises, it's easy to pacify one place, but another place has someone stirring up trouble. And outside the pass, it's also not peaceful, the golden crows repeatedly invading our borders, saying that internal worries and external troubles is not an exaggeration at all..."

  Ding Yunyi couldn't believe that this "father" of his would say such things to him, and for a moment he didn't react. All he heard was Ding Yuanzhao continuing:

  "Besides, those red barbarians have not stopped for a moment. Although our great Ming dynasty has set up patrols and Penghu is patrolling Penghu, no military force has been stationed on the island of Taiwan itself, allowing the Dutch East India Company to take advantage of the situation and occupy southwestern Taiwan. The court did not intervene, letting the red barbarians plunder our wealth and slaughter our people, which is a great shame for us!"

  Ding Yunyi suddenly felt a deep respect for him.

  Never thought that this stern-looking, self-disciplined military officer would be so concerned about Taiwan's affairs.

  "I have repeatedly petitioned the imperial court, warning that the Dutch occupation of Taiwan will inevitably lead to their raids on the coast of Fujian. We should concentrate our naval forces and drive them out in one swift motion. However, the court is busy dealing with bandits and the Jin dynasty, and has not taken my memorials seriously."

  Ding Yuanshou's expression turned indignant as he spoke: "Although Penghu You Sheng was promoted to Penghu Biao, those militiamen are all afraid of the hardships of life in Penghu, making excuses and refusing to take office. Only Hong Diao Yuan is working hard there. Although Penghu appears to be a barren land, its location is crucial. If our great Ming dynasty occupies it, we can keep Taiwan under surveillance; if the Dutch occupy it, they can threaten Fujian. We cannot relax for even a moment... I have long wanted to choose someone trustworthy to manage Penghu, but unfortunately, I have not found such a person..."

  At this point, Ding Yunwei suddenly realized that his old man had sent him to Penghu with this intention.

  I originally thought he looked down on me, but now it seems I was wrong about him.

  "Item Wen." Ding Yuan's tone became more serious: "I placed you in the army with this intention from the start, thinking that you would need to be tempered for three to five years before being of great use. But after the battle with Hong Yi, your performance exceeded my expectations, and I am a bit impatient. The sooner we go to Penghu, the sooner I can rest easy."

  "Dad, I understand." Ding Yunyi said respectfully: "Yunyi will go and work hard, but Yunyi is just a small patrol officer, with only ten soldiers under his command, so..."

  Ding Yuan's face showed relief, feeling that he had not spoiled his son in vain: "It doesn't matter, Peng Hu Biao is also considered my disciple. Although he is a bit foolish, he is still diligent and hardworking. I have written a letter to him specifically, so he naturally knows what to do. You are just an inspector, but under Peng Hu Biao's command in Penghu, you will be the one in charge. If you need anything, I will be there to support you in Fujian, don't worry."

  One man is inferior to none, superior to all?

  Ding Yunyi was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

  Penghu is just a small island, a barren land, and even being second-in-command doesn't have much glory to it.

  A seventh-rank battalion commander and a ninth-rank inspector acting like local emperors in such a small place?

  Ding Yuanzhao had no idea what his son was thinking in his heart, and suddenly said: "Xiang Wen, if you want to govern Penghu well, there is one person who cannot be avoided..."

  Before he had even finished speaking, Ding Yunyi immediately responded: "Zheng Zhilong?"

  Ding Yuanzhao was taken aback: "Not bad, it's indeed this person. I didn't expect you to consider so thoroughly."

  What's there to consider? Ding Yunyi muttered to himself. The true overlord of Fujian and Taiwan, isn't it really you guys, the governors and magistrates, but Zheng Zhilong, a pirate by origin, with a massive fleet, rich enough to rival a country!

  To talk about the Emperor of the Soil, Zheng Zhilong is the real Emperor of the Soil! Although he was just a general, his power and wealth were unmatched.

  "Xiang Wen thought Zheng Zhilong was what kind of person?" Ding Yuanshou asked slowly.

  "It's no good bird." Ding Yunyi muttered.

  "What?"

  "Ah, Yun Yi is right. Although Zheng Zhi Long has surrendered to the imperial court, this man has a wolf's ambition and will not be content with being under others for long. I think it's only a matter of time..."

  "Don't say any more." Ding Yuanzuo interrupted him, looking outside: "Some things are better left in the heart, saying them out loud will only lead to trouble. Now, if we want to defeat the Red Barbarian fleet, we can't do without Zheng Zhilong."

  Yun Yi understood.

  Ding Yuan's face, rarely seen with a smile, revealed some warmth: "I've said what I needed to say. This time you're going to Penghu, originally I should have helped you out, but as an official for many years, I've always been clean and honest, as the head of the household, everything depends on yourself now."

  Got it, after messing around for half a day, it's still an empty check. Zou Weijun at least rewarded himself with some silver, but you, as the father, didn't show any appreciation except for passing on a burden.

  "Father, I'd like to visit Zheng Zhilong before I leave," said Ding Yunyi, calming himself.

  "Go on, go on, be careful what you say." Ting Yuanxiao nodded and said.

  When he went out, Ding Yunyi secretly observed Ding Yuanzhao and found that his father's face was gloomy and unhappy, as if he always had a worried look on his face.

  This should be considered a good official, right? Ding Yunyi thought to himself.

  Thinking again about meeting Zheng Zhi Long soon, whether he can stand firm in Penghu or not has a great relationship with this person, and his heart cannot help but feel some tension.