Zeng De glared at him with a very exaggerated look: "Brother, do you even need to ask? The money collected here must be transferred out. Damn it, these bastards have harmed many people."
Zheng Chenggong didn't speak, his eyes fixed on the ship and the silent porters coming and going. To Zeng De's surprise, he didn't walk directly on it, but turned around and left.
Zeng Deqi was surprised: "Don't you want to go up?"
Zheng Chenggong nodded: "But if we rush there like this, it will arouse suspicion no matter what. Judging from the quantity of their goods, it should take a long time. Let's go to the nearby villages to ask about the situation."
Zeng De followed Zheng Chenggong into a small fishing village closest to the harbor, talking and laughing all the way. He couldn't stop laughing as soon as he entered. There was a lot of blood spattered on the tree trunks at the entrance of the village.
The village was unusually quiet. Occasionally, a few children could be seen huddled together and talking in low voices. When they came in, everyone's eyes were filled with alertness and fear.
Zheng Chenggong was stunned when he saw this scene. He wanted to go up and talk, but the children immediately dispersed as soon as they saw him approaching. They ran very fast, and no one was left before Zheng Chenggong could speak.
"What should we do?" He was at a loss.
"Fortunately, it's just the two of us here. If we brought a group of people here, everyone's looks like bandits would scare everyone away. Zeng De whispered."
"I've been scared away," Zheng Chenggong reminded him, "What should I do now? Find a family?"
"I've been to this place before. I probably remember where the village chief's house is. Let's go, let's go to the village chief's house first and see if we can ask anything."
After walking for half an hour and twisting and turning several times, they finally found the village chief's house. Zheng Chenggong felt that Zeng De had remembered the wrong way. After thinking about it, he decided to forgive him generously and not argue with him again.
"Is this right here?" Zheng Chenggong said as he knocked on the door.
No one responded, and he didn't know if there was anyone inside. Zeng De also went up and knocked hard, while shouting: "Village Chief Li, are you there?"
Someone opened the door from inside: "Who is it?"
Zheng Chenggong raised his foot and wanted to go in. Zeng De grabbed him and said with a smile on his face: "Old village chief, don't you recognize me?"
The old village chief saw Zeng De clearly and immediately opened the door: "It's Ade, come in quickly. Why did you remember to come back to take a look? You seem to have come back at the wrong time." He said, "Come back."
It was not the right time, but my face was still full of joy.
Zheng Chenggong followed Zeng De into the small courtyard. As soon as they entered, the old village chief immediately closed the door. At this time, a woman poked her head out of the room and asked, "Who's here, old man?"
The old village chief invited them into the house and shouted to his mother-in-law: "Ade is here, go get some fruits and pour some tea."
After the tea was served, Zeng De looked at Zheng Chenggong specifically, watching him frown as he drank it and then swallowed it with a righteous look on his face. Then he put the cup back where it was, and then looked around as if nothing had happened.
He couldn't help but remember that when Hain was just rescued by their boss, he took a sip of tea and vomited without thinking. Everyone in the room was shocked. After a long time, he said dryly: "I'm sorry.
, this tea is a bit astringent..."
It is not easy for this young master to achieve this step, Zeng De laughed.
"Village chief, can you tell us about the situation in the village? When we came in, we saw that there seemed to be no one moving around in the village." Zeng De asked softly.
The old village chief sighed heavily: "Well, let's not make the recent group of people afraid. You said there are some good things in our poor place. When they came, they robbed things and killed several people. Now everyone
They are all on tenterhooks."
"Can you tell us more about the characteristics of these people?" Zheng Chenggong interrupted.
Zeng De saw that the old village chief was a little confused and quickly introduced: "Old village chief, this is my good brother. His father used to be a general. We are here to completely eradicate this group of people."
The village chief was dubious: "Really? Can it really be completely eradicated?"
Zheng Chenggong couldn't help but ask: "Since they have been here more than once, why don't they report it to the government and ask the government to suppress it?"
The old village chief smiled bitterly, and Zeng De spoke for him: "Nowadays, there are peasant uprisings everywhere, or else the feudal lords are occupying territory everywhere. How can anyone be willing to take care of this kind of thing? Do you think this is the time of peace and prosperity?
Even in the peaceful and prosperous times, most governments would turn a blind eye to such matters."
Zheng Chenggong clenched his fists: "They..." He calmed down his emotions and asked the old village chief again: "When was the last time they came? Chief, do you still remember their characteristics?"
The village chief thought for a while: "The last time was three days ago. It was in the evening, and every household was preparing dinner. They heard a noise outside. This group of people came again and grabbed some food, as well as the villagers themselves.
The chickens and ducks we raised just left. As for their characteristics... I really can’t remember them.”
At this time, a middle-aged man walked up excitedly. He was lame on one leg and had a bandage on one arm: "I remember that those beasts all had a wolf head mark on their arms, and I even fought with them.
shelf."
His mother came over and urged him to go back and lie down.
Zheng Chenggong nodded: "We understand, don't worry, we will try our best to get back the stolen things. It is the government's responsibility for not protecting you properly. Whether it is the Manchus or pirates, they will pay the price, and we will still
Come again."
Zeng De also stood up: "Yes, don't worry, my brother is not an easy man. He has won many battles. These little thieves can't stop him."
Seeing that they were about to leave, the village chief asked them to stay: "It's already this time. Let's leave after dinner."
Zheng Chenggong shook his head slightly, and Zeng De shook his head with a smile: "No, I have something to do this time. I will definitely stay and taste my aunt's craftsmanship next time."
The village chief and his wife sent them out and repeatedly told them to remember to come over for dinner next time.
After walking some distance away, Zeng Decai tilted his head and looked at Zheng Chenggong: "What's wrong? We're still some distance away from night, so why don't you ask me a few more questions?"
Zheng Chenggong shook his head: "It's useless to talk more. We can't ask anything anymore. Except for his son, no one is willing to answer our questions sincerely. The old man doesn't welcome us from the bottom of his heart."
Zeng De was surprised: "How could it be? The old village chief is not that kind of person. He is a very nice person. You...what evidence do you have?"
"Whether they are deserters from the Qing army or pirates who have been wandering around for many years, they are all cruel and ruthless. I believe you know this very well." Zheng Chenggong said coldly.
Zeng De acquiesced. Even if he didn't know it before, he had seen it clearly enough in the past few years along the coast.
"Why is the village chief's son safe and sound? Of course, it cannot be said that he is safe and sound, but after all, he is still standing there fine."