Chapter 658: Sooner or Later, I'll Fucking Kill You

After hearing Chen Facai's words, Park Jeong-yang's face was filled with utter disbelief.

As a Joseon man, Park Jeong-yang naturally understood what a feudal lord of the Wa nation meant.

He raised his head and looked at Chen Facai, asking, "Is this really true?"

"Of course." Chen Facai nodded and said, "This news came from the Staff Office. You should know what the Great Ming's Staff Office is like, right?"

Park Jeong-yang nodded and said, "Of course."

"This matter is actually an opportunity for you." Chen Facai thought for a moment before saying, "But there's some difficulty involved. The people at the Staff Office said they sent some things over — should be a batch of weapons, meant for Joseon. Do you know about this?"

Park Jeong-yang never imagined that Chen Facai would know about even this matter. He truly was no ordinary merchant.

Park Jeong-yang looked at Chen Facai and asked, "Father-in-law, you know about this too?"

"What kind of secret is this?" Chen Facai waved his hand and said casually, "I even know something you don't. The Joseon troops that the Great Ming has transferred to the Wa nation this time will be stationed there permanently from now on. The Great Ming provides the money, grain, and equipment, and these Joseon troops will stay in the Wa nation together with the Great Ming's army."

A look of disbelief flashed across Park Jeong-yang's face, then his pupils contracted. He glanced at Chen Facai, and seeing that he looked thoroughly drunk, he still felt somewhat uneasy and uncertain inside.

Could this really be true?

But after thinking it over, Park Jeong-yang felt that it should be true.

The Great Ming sent people to take away these troops and provided equipment — they must be elite forces fighting in the Wa nation. After being reorganized by the Great Ming, such troops would definitely be exceptionally capable fighters. Once you hold such an army in your hands, how could you possibly let them go again?

Even the Great Ming couldn't do that. So these troops were troops the Great Ming intended to keep.

Although his father-in-law had obtained this information, he clearly hadn't realized how important it was. If he could pull this off himself, the benefits would be immense.

"So that's why they want to enfeoff a feudal lord?" Park Jeong-yang looked at Chen Facai and asked.

"Exactly!" Chen Facai nodded matter-of-factly and said, "Otherwise, where would they put these people? I heard they're looking for a suitable candidate — right, a Joseon official — to take command of these troops. They said they want someone loyal to the Great Ming. At the time I even said, all Joseon officials are loyal to the Great Ming, who wouldn't do?"

"But since our relationship is good today, I'll pull some strings later and see if I can get you sent over. This is a great opportunity — if it works out, you could become a feudal lord. That's a family legacy that can be passed down for generations."

Hearing this, Park Jeong-yang found it hard not to be excited.

His own land, his own army, with the Ming army backing him up — wouldn't he be able to do whatever he wanted? Who could still restrain him here?

But Park Jeong-yang also understood another thing — what his father-in-law meant by "loyal to the Great Ming."

He knew that this kind of loyalty to the Great Ming wasn't ordinary loyalty. If it were merely ordinary loyalty, such a good opportunity wouldn't come to you. The requirements were probably very high, and there might be other conditions involved. To put it plainly, it meant being wholeheartedly willing to work for the Great Ming. If a conflict ever arose between the Great Ming and Joseon, you would stand on the Great Ming's side.

Was there even anything to consider about this?

After thinking briefly, Park Jeong-yang knew there was nothing to think about at all.

With such a future and such power, how could he possibly give it up?

Look at the kind of life he was living in Joseon right now.

Those people in the elders faction all opposed him. They ostracized him, keeping him outside the center of power.

This time, he not only had to get the job done, but do it spectacularly, so that everyone would know what kind of man he was.

"Then please, father-in-law, do your best to help me." Park Jeong-yang said hurriedly, "If I truly become a feudal lord, then in the future, the child of Qingqing and I will inherit this position. Father-in-law, rest assured."

Glancing at Park Jeong-yang, Chen Facai sneered inwardly.

You old bastard — "the child of Qingqing and I." Can you even have a child with Qingqing?

Dreaming pretty dreams. Have you already thought up a name for the child too?

Sooner or later, I'll fucking kill you!

"Good, good, good!" Chen Facai reached out and patted Park Jeong-yang, seeming very satisfied, then promptly collapsed face-first onto the table, clearly drunk.

Park Jeong-yang was startled for a moment, then said, "Someone, come."

From behind the door came the tinkling of jade ornaments. Qingqing walked out of the room, glanced at Park Jeong-yang with a soft, alluring gaze — her seductive eyes rippling with charm — and said in a gentle voice, "Master Park, my godfather has a low tolerance for alcohol. Please do be understanding."

"No need, no need." Park Jeong-yang quickly waved his hand and said, "Miss Qingqing is too courteous."

Someone followed up from behind and directly supported Chen Facai.

Qingqing said, "Master Park, my godfather has already fallen asleep. It's not convenient for me to see you out, so I'll have Huan'er escort you in my place."

As she spoke, Qingqing waved to someone behind her.

A pretty maidservant stepped forward.

"See Master Park out for me." Qingqing said in a gentle tone.

"Yes, miss." The pretty maidservant Huan'er acknowledged, then came before Park Jeong-yang and said respectfully, "Master Park, this way please."

"Good, good, good." Park Jeong-yang agreed while nodding, and followed Huan'er toward the other side.

After the two left, Chen Facai, who had been supported by others, immediately straightened up, waved at the two servants holding him, and said, "That old bastard can really hold his liquor."

Hearing this, Qingqing laughed and said, "Then why didn't godfather pretend to be drunk earlier?"

"Don't call me godfather." Chen Facai quickly made a stop gesture and said, "You said you'd marry me, so calling me godfather isn't appropriate anymore. We don't need to use that in private."

Hearing this, Qingqing burst out laughing with a snort, then said, "I've already prepared hangover soup for you, sir. Have a little first."

"Good, good, good." Chen Facai nodded as well.

Soon, the hangover soup was brought up.

After drinking the hangover soup, Chen Facai said, "You've worked hard all day. Get some rest early too."

"What do we do next?" Qingqing asked.

"Just wait." Chen Facai said casually, "There will be news tomorrow. With money, power, and beauty all on offer, how long do you think he can hold out? Just watch — he'll definitely come tomorrow."

Qingqing nodded, said nothing, and led her people off to rest.

After washing up, Chen Facai also prepared to get a good rest.

Meanwhile, in the Wa nation, Hirado Island.

Fang Zhenghua looked at Zheng Zhilong before him with an expressionless face and said, "Matsuura Dairoku has agreed to see me?"

"Yes, Eunuch." Zheng Zhilong said with a brilliant smile on his face, "I've already conveyed your thoughts to him. He wants to meet you and discuss things with you in person."

"Good." Fang Zhenghua nodded and said, "When is the time set?"

"Tomorrow." Zheng Zhilong said without a moment's hesitation, "They're in a bit of a hurry on their side too."

They really couldn't afford to delay any longer! Over the past few days, the Great Ming's warships had been steadily approaching Hirado, looking very much like a great army bearing down on them.

After Zheng Zhilong spread the news, everyone hadn't yet been in a hurry to discuss it. But seeing the Great Ming's warships drawing near, everyone began to panic.

Such enormous ships, such swift speed, and rows upon rows of neat, pitch-black cannon muzzles lining the hulls—just looking at them was terrifying. Beneath warships and cannons like those, it was impossible not to be afraid. Before long, they wanted to find Fang Zhenghua and have a talk.

After all, Fang Zhenghua had already said that if negotiations broke down, he would simply leave. Dragging things out was impossible—the Great Ming wouldn't give them that chance.

The Hirado Domain, or rather the province of Hizen—this place the Great Ming was determined to have, and no one could possibly stop them.

Joseon's troops hadn't even arrived yet, and the Great Ming was already preparing to act on its own. This place would belong to the Great Ming in the future as well. In a word: whatever I conquer is mine.

So the Imperial Navy would give the people of the Hirado Domain no chance to stall for time. After repeated pressure, Matsuura Dairo of the Hirado Domain finally decided to meet with Fang Zhenghua.

He truly couldn't avoid it any longer—who knew what would happen if he kept putting it off?

"Then so be it. Tomorrow, we'll go see him." Fang Zhenghua looked at Zheng Zhilong and said with a smile, "You did exceptionally well in this matter—your contribution is paramount. Once this affair is concluded, I will certainly report it to the court, and you will be rewarded according to your merits."

"Thank you for your promotion, Eunuch." Zheng Zhilong hurriedly replied with a smile.

"That's all for today. I'm tired as well—let's rest early. Tomorrow morning we'll rise early to go see him, and we'll need to have a proper talk with him."

"Then I won't disturb you any further, Eunuch." Zheng Zhilong quickly bowed and said.

"Good." Fang Zhenghua nodded and said, "I'll have someone see you out."

After Zheng Zhilong left, Fang Zhenghua found a place to rest and eat. The night passed without further incident.

Early the next morning, Fang Zhenghua rose very early and soon rendezvoused with Zheng Zhilong. The two of them went together to Matsuura Dairo's residence.

Quite a few people had already gathered there—clearly all members of the Matsuura clan.

They looked at Fang Zhenghua—some curious, some displeased, some filled with outright hostility. The expressions on their faces varied. Clearly, this also represented their attitudes.

After all, they had been living very well. Then you suddenly arrive and tell us to surrender—and if we don't surrender, you'll attack us?

This way of doing things was a bit too overbearing.

Fang Zhenghua, however, couldn't care less. His face wore a gentle smile, he was very polite, projecting an air of "I'm very mild-mannered."

After walking inside and reaching the reception hall, they took their seats as host and guest. After a round of formalities, tea was served.

Matsuura Dairo said, "The eunuch of the Great Ming has come from afar. This remote corner has little to offer in the way of hospitality—I beg the eunuch's forgiveness."

Fang Zhenghua nodded, smiling, and said in a gentle tone, "It's no matter. I've been here a few days now and have grown accustomed to it. Besides, knowing this place was remote, I was already mentally prepared. I must say, it's slightly worse than I imagined. But it's fine—my ability to adapt is quite strong."