Traveling through the late Ming Dynasty to promote Chinese civilization

Chapter 291 Subduing Zheng Hongkui

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To be honest, for a business like Zheng Hongkui's, which handles huge sums of money, smuggling in some personal gain and taking kickbacks is an unspoken rule in the industry, and it has been the case throughout history, even in the 21st century. The only difference between Zheng Hongkui and other managers is that he is the owner's brother, and the Zheng family's business is so large that even a small amount he takes away can amount to hundreds of thousands.

Zheng Hongkui was shocked and uncertain that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had found out about such a secret matter. His face turned pale and then red, and he looked very unwell.

These secrets were unearthed by Zhou Guoxin after several visits to brothels and spending a considerable amount of money, from his colleagues in Fujian. Although the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) had planted spies in the Zheng family to prevent powerful military officers from harming the court, they would also record and preserve these petty thieves' gleanings for future use.

After being appeased, Zheng Zhilong, though high-profile in his actions, still valued his official position and career. He showed no flaws in the "treason" aspect that Zhou Guoxin most anticipated. Zheng Hongkui, being the most ambitious of the Zheng brothers, was even less likely to have any leverage against him in this regard. Zhou Guoxin had no choice but to approach the matter indirectly, digging up Zheng Hongkui's embarrassing moments in hopes of intimidating him. Seeing Zheng Hongkui's grim expression, Zhou Guoxin assumed he would yield and said smugly, "Zheng Zhilong is acting perversely and is arrogant and conceited. Once the Qiongzhou army arrives, the entire Zheng family will be reduced to dust. Those who understand the times are wise; Fourth Master Zheng, you should think carefully..."

Zheng Hongkui gritted his teeth and said, "I don't know why the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Qiongzhou Camp are in cahoots, but to think that I would betray the Zheng family based on this alone is to underestimate me." He had just weighed the pros and cons: the Qiongzhou Camp was on a long and arduous campaign, while the Zheng family was large and powerful. In a real battle, the outcome was uncertain. If he were to cut himself off from the Zheng family for this matter, and the Zheng family won the battle, he would be disliked by both sides. Why bother? Since he had already fallen to this state, even if he told his elder brother about his embezzlement, it wouldn't make things any worse.

Zhou Guoxin didn't expect Zheng Hongkui to be so tough. He sneered, "Fourth Master Zheng, I originally respected you as a man and wanted to save you some face, but I didn't expect you to be so ungrateful. Then don't blame me for going too far."

Zheng Hongkui inwardly cursed – could there be something more troublesome? He forced a smile and replied, "I'd like to hear the details. I want to see what other tricks you have up your sleeve."

Zhou Guoxin continued reading the second half of the note: "Zheng Hongkui frequently travels to Japan, especially staying in Hirado. It is said that he freely enters and leaves the Tagawa family's residence and has a very close relationship with the Tagawa family. The bloodline of his youngest son, Tagawa Shichizaemon, is unknown, and it is suspected that Hongkui is responsible..."

Zheng Hongkui's vision went black, and he almost fainted. This absurd rumor that violated human ethics was actually recorded by the Embroidered Uniform Guard as intelligence. He was more wronged than Dou E!

Zhou Guoxin chuckled and said, "Fourth Master Zheng, once this paper is handed to Zheng Zhilong, do you think he'll believe you or our Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Zheng Hongkui reached for a Japanese sword resting on the table, gritting his teeth as he said, "You are shameless! This is slander! This is outrageous!"

Several Imperial Guards' expressions changed, and they all drew their embroidered spring knives. Zhou Guoxin shouted, "Zheng Laosi, you dare to draw your knife in front of the Imperial Guards? Don't you and your elder brother want your future?"

Zheng Hongkui ignored them, slowly drawing his sword from its sheath. The blade gleamed brightly, momentarily halting the momentum of the men opposite him. This sword, which he had purchased at a high price from a Japanese samurai, was said to be one of Japan's ten most famous swords, named "Kikuichimonji Norimune." Actually, this was a collective name for a series of Japanese swords forged by the Bizen swordsmith Norimune during the reign of Emperor Go-Toba in the Kurilan period. All were tachi (long swords), but later generations, for convenience, collectively referred to them as "Kikuichimonji Norimune." Legend has it that this sword's blade shimmered, killing without drawing blood, and its edge was engraved with the 16-petaled chrysanthemum crest, representing the imperial family. It was often used as a weapon made for the imperial family.

Zheng Hongkui said, word by word, "I respect my elder brother and I also respect my sister-in-law, Tianchuan. There is absolutely no way I would commit such a shameful act as having an affair with my sister-in-law, which would bring disgrace to the family. You have been plotting to destroy me and have fabricated such a baseless charge against me, leaving me no way out. I would rather die with you than be hurt by such vicious rumors."

Zhou Guoxin calmly said, "Zheng Laosi, regardless of whether this matter is true or false, as long as it reaches your elder brother, any normal man will be suspicious. Think about it, Zheng Zhilong left Hirado in the fourth year of the Tianqi reign, and then inherited Li Dan's legacy. From then on, he rose to prominence and made a name for himself, rarely returning to Hirado. His eldest son, Zheng Fusong, was born in the fourth year of the Tianqi reign, which is understandable. However, his second son, Tagawa Shichizaemon, was born in the sixth year of the Tianqi reign. Coincidentally, you have been frequently visiting the Tagawa family's inner quarters in recent years. It's no wonder people are suspicious..."

Zheng Hongkui gripped the hilt of his knife with both hands, sweat dripping from his forehead, his heart sinking into an icy abyss. The opponent's reasoning appeared flawless on the surface, but if it reached his elder brother's ears, it would inevitably arouse suspicion. Once this inner demon takes hold, the brotherly bond would be utterly destroyed—this is the weakness of human nature.

At his elder brother's request, he did indeed visit young Fukumatsu at the Tagawa residence several times, contrary to the claims of the Imperial Guards that he "recklessly entered and exited the inner quarters." However, he never told anyone that his frequent contact with the graceful and elegant Tagawa Matsu, who was young and alone, stirred something within him in his youthful vigor, and he even had indescribable fantasies about her. He also felt that Tagawa Matsu's gaze towards him held a certain meaning. But in all honesty, he only dared to think about it and never dared to cross the line. As for whether his elder brother returned to Hirado or how many times, he couldn't remember. If he were to be blamed for this, it would be unintentional on the part of the speaker but misunderstood by the listener, and he would be unable to clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

Seeing his absent-minded appearance, Zhou Guoxin knew that the attack had hit the nail on the head, and the matter was settled.

"Fourth Master Zheng, we dared to break into the Zheng residence at night because we were prepared. Even if you had malicious intentions to silence us, our brothers outside will naturally report it to your elder brother. The truth will eventually come out..."

Zheng Hongkui sighed deeply, and the kikuichi katana clattered to the ground. "Kill me! I have no way to defend myself against your scheming, but I don't want to betray the Zheng family either. My only option is to die..."

Zhou Guoxin laughed. Those who constantly claim they'd rather die than die are usually reluctant to do so. He relayed Liu Ye's message to the other man, then leaned closer and whispered, "Master Zheng is overthinking it. Our general admires you, Master Zheng. How could he possibly force you to die? When Anping Town falls, all you need to do is..."

"What? You want me to identify my clansmen? Absolutely not." Zheng Hongkui shook his head vigorously. "Please tell General Xia: If Heaven is going to destroy my Zheng family, and my elder brother can't defeat the Qiongzhou camp, as long as General Liu promises me to spare the women and children of Anping, I can restrain the Zheng clansmen from making futile resistance. This is my bottom line. Otherwise, I would rather die than be a sinner of the Zheng family."

Zhou Guoxin was surprised by Zheng Hongkui's insistence. After hesitating for a moment, he replied, "I cannot make the decision on this matter, but I can report to the general and let him make the final decision."