Steel Dynasty - Chapter 505

[Chapter 505 Privateer Plan]

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

With a rich smile on her face, Luluo saluted Xiao Ming, revealing two rows of white teeth.

Nodding slightly, Xiao Ming signaled Lu Luo to go to Fei Yue’er, while he took Zhao Long and Zhao Hu to Qingzhou Prison.

Through the dark and damp passage, Xiao Ming met Meng Youliang in the deepest part of the prison.

Although Meng Youliang was imprisoned in the dungeon during this period, his food and clothing expenses were different from other prisoners, and he was not wronged at all.

After all, even the prison chief knew that he was Lu Luo’s brother, and Lu Luo was King Qi’s maid.

Meng Youliang had already met Xiao Ming when he was in Dengzhou. When he heard the footsteps of the housekeeper Xiao Ming walking toward him, he immediately climbed out of bed.

“The criminal Meng Youliang has met His Highness.” Meng Youliang said nervously.

Xiao Ming looked at Meng Youliang. He was wearing new clothes and bedding. The cell was also a single room. There were still uneaten leftovers on Table Mountain, a bowl of rice, a plate of pickles and a plate. Haricot vert.

“You’re living a good life in prison.” Xiao Ming smiled.

Meng Youliang said with a sneer: “Thank you for your mercy, otherwise the ordinary people would have such great grace.”

“What you should thank most is your sister. She sent these things to you through someone else.” Xiao Ming snorted coldly. He said, “But your heart is cruel enough, and you have never cared about her life or death.”

Meng Youliang’s face darkened, and his expression became a little sad. He said to Xiao Ming: “Your Highness, the common people know that they are sorry for her. If it weren’t for She wouldn’t sell herself out if she was impulsive. Cao Min has been regretting it all these years.”

“You still have some conscience.” Xiao Ming snorted, “It’s not a coincidence that I came to see you today. It’s just Lu Luo. She has done a lot for me during this time. I feel sorry for her and want to give her a reward. I never thought that she still cares about you as a brother.”

“This silly girl” Meng Youliang became more and more sad when he heard this. With a trace of sobs, he knelt down suddenly and said to Xiao Ming: “Your Highness, the grass people are definitely not people who want to communicate with the Japanese. I beg Your Highness to see clearly and let the grass people out. The grass people are not for themselves and just want to use the rest of their lives to compensate Lu Luo.”

He pondered. After a while, Xiao Ming said: “I have confirmed the news you brought. The Japanese country does have a plan to attack the Chongqing Kingdom. However, you have been among the Japanese pirates for so long and have injured many fishermen in Dengzhou. You have a bad record. It’s hard to convince people.”

Meng Youliang lowered his head, “Your Highness, the grassroots had no choice but to do this. The Japanese pirates forced the grassroots to do this. If the grassroots didn’t do what they did, they wouldn’t be able to blend in with the Japanese pirates and find their enemies. But the grassroots left behind every time they attacked. No room left.”

Shaking his head, Xiao Ming said: “I believe you are innocent now, but if it is true as you said, I don’t want a meritorious person to be shamed, and with Luluo’s request, you are free now. “It’s time to go

.

” Meng Youliang couldn’t believe his ears.

“Yes, after you get out of prison, let’s find a way to make a living and live a down-to-earth life.” Xiao Ming said lightly.

Meng Youliang was stunned. He didn’t react to this sudden change for a while, but when he came to his senses, he suddenly said: “Your Highness, it’s just that the common people are used to living on the sea, and they don’t want to be charged with treason with the Japanese.” , please give me a chance to prove myself.”

“Is it the same as when you proved your sincerity in becoming a Japanese pirate?” Xiao Ming asked teasingly, this Meng Youliang really troubled him.

Meng Youliang’s face turned red, and when he opened his mouth, he suddenly sighed deeply, “If you make a mistake, you will be hated for eternity. The common people really deserve it.”

“But…” Just when Meng Youliang was secretly regretting it, Xiao Ming suddenly changed the subject.

Meng Youliang raised his head suddenly, and he seemed to see a glimmer of hope, “I hope His Highness will make it clear.”

Xiao Ming thought for a while and said, “If you really want to prove yourself, there is a way. Now I have controlled the coastal routes. , defeated the Japanese pirates in Ryukyu. In the future, the Japanese pirates will definitely retaliate against me at sea. After all, there are many Japanese pirates and they have roamed the sea for many years. They will not be so willing to lose to me. In my opinion, the way to deal with pirates is Pirate, if you want to prove yourself, you might as well eliminate the Japanese pirates on the sea for me.”

“Destroy the Japanese pirates on the sea?” Meng Youliang said with beads of sweat on his forehead: “Your Highness, there are enough Japanese pirates. Eighty thousand people are scattered on the sea, sometimes gathering, sometimes scattered and difficult to deal with. How can a common man destroy these 80,000 Japanese pirates? “

“It is because it is difficult that I can prove your worth. However, the word pirate seems a bit awkward. It’s inappropriate. What I asked you to do was actually privateering. You have been traveling with the Japanese pirates on the sea for so many years, have you ever heard of privateering?” Xiao Ming asked.

Meng Youliang understood and said: “The common people understand, the common people have indeed heard of privateers. In fact, they are just a group of pirates, but they are the ones who rob enemy merchant ships and attack other pirates for the country.”

“Yes, that’s right. Such a pirate, since you have been at sea for so many years, you can’t even pull up a ship of people,” Xiao Ming asked seemingly unintentionally.

“Your Highness, the common people can pull up a boat of people. Many of the Japanese pirates are actually fishermen along the coast, and some are merchants. The real number of Japanese pirates is only more than 30,000. In recent years, the common people have met a lot of people at sea. “

In that case, I will give you a ship and let you become the first privateer captain in the Chongqing Kingdom.” Xiao Ming said with a smile.

In fact, Xiao Ming said this to Meng Youliang today not just on a whim, but because he has been thinking about it for some time. In the next few years, the number of his naval warships will not be able to compete with the real European powers at sea, and according to what Claire said, , now European powers have been supporting privateers or piracy.

On the one hand, this is to supplement the insufficient strength of the navy. At the same time, when one’s own merchant ships are attacked by privateers from other countries at sea, privateers can also be used to retaliate against the other country’s merchant ships to recover losses. After all, in the law of the jungle, the law of the jungle is strong. , when there were no international rules, it was impossible to obtain compensation through formal channels if a merchant ship was robbed.

“Of course, you can also choose to refuse and live the life I want.” Xiao Ming added.

After hesitating for a moment, Meng Youliang said: “Your Highness, I am willing to be the captain of a privateer, but what if we encounter the fleet of the Great Chongqing at sea? Yue Yun still hates me.”

“This is very simple, Chamber of Commerce A privateering license will be issued to you, and from now on you will be the secret power of this king on the sea.”

(End of this chapter)