Helena walked into the room and saw a plate of vegetables, a bowl of rice and a basin of clear soup on the table. She was surprised and said: "This is what you want to eat?"
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "What? Do you think I eat delicacies from the mountains and seas, and the table is full of delicacies? This is the uniform meal in our Ming army. There is a meal of meat every three days, but not today. Have you eaten? Do you want me to order someone?
Serve you some."
Helena was stunned, shook her head and said: "We have already had dinner. I really didn't expect you to be so frugal."
Zhang Yanling chuckled and said: "That's not the case. We are marching and fighting outside. This is not the case for me at home. When we are marching and fighting outside, we should share the joys and sorrows with the soldiers. It is good to have food and drink. Girls, please sit down."
"
Helena and Catherine sat on the chairs next to them. Zhang Yanling sat behind the case and said with a smile: "If you don't mind, we can talk while I eat. To be honest, I'm so hungry that my chest and back are numb."
Helena smiled and said: "You can just eat, we will wait for you to finish."
Zhang Yanling was not polite, he was really hungry. He picked up the chopsticks and rice bowl, and quickly ate the bowl of rice with a plate of green vegetables. He also drank the bowl of soup with a slurping sound.
Then he wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and raised his head.
The two girls stared blankly at Zhang Yanling as he ate, looking a little shocked and pitiful. As the Duke of Ming Dynasty, he could eat such delicious food. This Duke was really different.
The guard came forward to take away the dishes and made another pot of tea. Zhang Yanling then smiled and asked: "You two girls came to see me and I wonder if you have anything to say. By the way, I heard the military doctor in the army say,
Commander-in-Chief Almeida is recovering well and seems to be able to speak, which is good. I will pay him a formal visit in two days. Miss Helena, please inform me on your behalf."
Helena leaned forward and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty the Duke. You have sent military doctors to treat my father these days. He has indeed gotten better. But he cannot be said to have recovered. In any case, I must thank Your Majesty the Duke for your life-saving grace."
Zhang Yanling waved her hand and said with a smile: "There is no need to say thank you or not. We are also people who have experienced life and death together, so there is no need to talk about it."
Helena said: "Yes. Your Majesty the Duke, Catherine and I are here to visit tonight. We have something to ask of Your Majesty the Duke."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "Just say whatever you want, what do you ask for or not?"
Helena smiled sweetly and said: "Then I'll tell you the truth. The first thing I want to do is to ask the Duke if you can be kind and release the arrested foreigners from my country of Franco. They are not soldiers, they are just foreigners here.
That's all. Some bought land and opened manors here, and some came to do business and open taverns. There are also church priests, bishops and clergy who are not involved in the war. They are all innocent people. Can you please show mercy to me, the Duke?
Let them go?"
Zhang Yanling laughed. The group of people Helena mentioned were the French expatriates who were captured because they could not escape. They included some merchants, bar owners and church personnel. They were very busy during this period and had no time to ask about this matter.
He ordered people to shoot them and guard them in the church.
"So that's what happened. I ordered these people to be well fed and well-fed, and I haven't had time to screen and interrogate them yet. Well, I guess they haven't done anything heinous. Since you mentioned this, then
It doesn’t matter if you just let it go. It’s not a big deal.” Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Helena was overjoyed. She originally thought that Zhang Yanling might not agree to this, but Zhang Yanling agreed immediately, and she couldn't help but be overjoyed. She knew in her heart that she was so happy because of her own face. You know, these people are actually related to
The military are all closely connected, and they are all high-status people, some of whom are kingdom officials stationed here. People with ordinary status cannot come to overseas colonies.
Zhang Yanling could have executed them all. If we really investigated, some of them would not have been unjust even if they were hanged.
But as Helena, they are her own countrymen after all, and she still hopes to rescue them and keep them alive.
"Thank you, Lord Duke. I didn't expect you to be so forthcoming. It's really surprising. Catherine, what did I say? I said he would promise us." Helena shouted.
Catherine smiled and nodded, thinking: That's not because he likes you. He may not agree to your next request.
"Your Excellency, there is one more thing I would like to ask you for help with," Helena said.
Zhang Yanling picked up the tea cup, took a sip and said with a smile: "Should we borrow a ship to send them back to China?"
Helena was surprised: "How do you know?"
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "I guessed randomly, am I right?"
Helena nodded and said: "You're right, that's exactly what I thought. Please send a boat to take them back to the country. Moreover, I am also here to say goodbye to you today. My father is returning to the country with them. I have to accompany my father.
go back."
Zhang Yanling was stunned, frowned and said, "Are you leaving too?"
Helena's expression became gloomy and she said coyly: "I don't want to leave, but my father wants to go home. I can only go with him. I...I can't let him leave alone, I'm worried about his health
."
Zhang Yanling frowned and said nothing, lowered his head and pondered.
Helena stood up and stepped forward, came to Zhang Yanling's side and lowered her head and said: "Your Excellency, I really don't want to leave, but I have to leave. My father said that what happened here is a conspiracy, and he cannot die here.
Here, we must return to our country to see His Majesty the King
Tell this matter clearly, otherwise he will bear the crime for the rest of his life. Alfonso will definitely say that the incident in the Malacca seaport was caused by our collaboration with the enemy. He cannot bear such insults and slander. He must return to his country to expose Prince William and Alfonso
What Suo did."
Zhang Yanling raised his head and looked at Helena's face, and said softly: "Have you... thought it through? Do you really want to leave here? I have to remind you that it is very dangerous for you to return to the country. Some things cannot be explained clearly.
Returning to the country is likely to lead to death. Mr. Almeida will not know this. How could he let you take such a risk by following him back to the country?"
Helena squatted down, held Zhang Yanling's knees with both hands, looked up at Zhang Yanling and said: "Your Excellency, I don't want to leave at all. I swear to God, I want to stay...to be with you...but I respect
My father, the father who loves me, I can't let him suffer this unfair injustice. In his current situation, I'm afraid he won't live long. This is his last wish, and I can't go against his wishes. You know what I mean.
What?"
Zhang Yanling stared into Helena's eyes, and tears welled up in Helena's eyes.
"Helena, did your father scold you? He blamed you for cooperating with me and forbidding you to stay here with me?" Zhang Yanling asked in a low voice.
Helena burst into tears. Almeida was already able to speak. He was able to speak two days ago. He scolded Helena severely and blamed her for cooperating with the Ming Dynasty's army. He blamed her.
It ruined the reputation of his life. What Almeida was proud of in his life was the glory of opening up territory for the Franco Kingdom. Although Helena was trying to save herself, she ruined his reputation.
Almeida knew that he would not live long, and he needed to solve these problems before he died. He wanted to clarify everything. So he forced Helena to agree and return to Franchi Country with him to clarify.
Of course, Almeida knew the dangers of this matter, but some things were obviously more important than the dangers he faced. He believed that King Manuel would understand the truth and distinguish right from wrong. He also had to expose Prince William and Alfonso
Prince William has evil intentions and his conspiracy must be exposed.
Helena had no choice but to agree to her father's return to the country with him. That was the request of her beloved father, the last request. If she didn't agree and her father died with regret, it would be something she would never forgive her for the rest of her life.
Her own. She is a filial daughter. Everything her father has done for her and his meticulous love and care for her have now become the reasons why she has to agree to him.
What's more, she herself hopes to clarify all this and restore her father's innocence. She has to explain herself to Zhang Yanling for help.
"My lord Duke, I have always dreamed of staying by your side. I have thought about it. Even if you get married and have a wife, I will still be your lover. As long as I follow you, I will be happy. But I have to complete my
My father’s wish. How much he loves me, from childhood to adulthood.
It was he who protected me and fulfilled all my wishes. Now that his reputation is ruined, how can I ignore him? I know that something bad may happen to me when I go back, but I have no choice. Your Majesty, if you were me, you
What should we do?" Helena said in tears.
Zhang Yanling did not answer. He had no right to stop Helena from making such a decision. He did like Helena. Not only was she beautiful and lovely, but she also had a brave and strong character. She dared to face and act bravely for her loved ones.
Zhang Yanling appreciated this very much.
Zhang Yanling himself is such a person, and he understands Helena's choice.
"Don't cry. I will talk to your father tomorrow. If this is really necessary, I will naturally agree to you. Although I don't want you to take risks, I also don't want you to leave regrets. In short, what you want to do
I will agree to everything. Don’t cry, otherwise your makeup will not be beautiful if you cry." Zhang Yanling said with a smile.
Helena felt sad and cried even more sadly after hearing Zhang Yanling's words.
Zhang Yanling stroked her hair and comforted her softly for a long time before Helena stopped crying.
"So, Miss Catherine, are you going back to China with us?" Zhang Yanling looked at Catherine, who was turning her head to look out the window at the night. Her blond hair was smooth, her features were clear, her neck was slender, and she was as beautiful as a sculpture.
Catherine seemed to be lost in thought, not paying attention to what was happening in front of her. Zhang Yanling asked her, and she turned around and glanced at Zhang Yanling, with a blush on her face.
"She won't leave. I asked Catherine to come with me because I want to ask you for the third thing. It's about Catherine." Helena said.