Chapter 503

The common people also shouted and cheered loudly.

After the ceremonial cannons fired, Zheng Zhilong, accompanied by a group of generals, stepped down from the standing ships.

He quickly approached Su Qiao and the assembled officials, clasped his hands in a bow, and said, "This subordinate, Zheng Zhilong, leads the soldiers under my command back in triumph, and has come specifically to present the order to the Imperial Envoy, my lord!"

"Excellent! General Zheng, please rise quickly!"

Su Qiao hurried forward, grasped Zheng Zhilong's arms with both hands, and pulled him up.

He himself had not intended to kneel, so he simply rose to the occasion.

He could not care less about other matters, but for this great victory, Zheng Zhilong could be said to have firmly secured the merit.

Afterwards, Zheng Zhilong directly and briefly announced the merit of this time in a loud voice.

The complete annihilation of the main Dutch fleet, the recovery of Taiwan, the rescue of Great Ming people who had been plundered, the capture of Dutch people, and so on.

The purpose was naturally to boost the morale of the military and people and to inspire a sense of identity in the hearts of the common folk.

After all, there were benefits and no drawbacks!

After a round of announcements, the entire dock was a scene of flushed faces and extraordinary excitement.

After that, the officials were no longer suitable to remain here; instead, they had to leave to attend the welcome and victory-celebration banquet.

Of course, the main guests of the banquet were the meritorious figures in this naval battle of the water army.

This time, Zheng Zhilong was quite different from his previously low-profile demeanor.

In the past, he was merely a Mobile Corps Commander of Fifth Rank, Junior Grade, with a miscellaneous title.

Although he had many warships under his command.

But no one was willing to pay him any attention at all.

The official world was divided into factions, and furthermore, Zheng Zhilong's background was unsuitable.

Civil officials looked down on him, and the Wu Xun also looked down on him.

Zheng Zhilong was almost in a state where neither his grandmother nor his uncle loved him; he dared not be high-profile, for who knew who might scheme against him!

His life had been utterly stifling!

Otherwise, when Su Qiao had first met Zheng Zhilong, he would not have been so enthusiastic and polite, inviting Su Qiao to his residence and even accompanying him to drink.

It was all for a purpose!

Now it was different!

Now he had solid war merit, and this merit was absolutely not lacking; this Zheng Zhilong no longer needed to play the role of a low-profile little prince as before, fearing being targeted by anyone.

Now, being a bit high-profile, no one dared to target him.

After all, the war merit was established by Zheng Zhilong and his men; anyone who dragged their feet and delayed others from sharing the cake of war merit would absolutely be attacked by the crowd.

Therefore, at this victory-celebration banquet, these military men, including Zheng Zhilong, were truly very happy and carefree, genuinely celebrating the victory.

Even if it aroused some dissatisfaction among the civil officials.

For instance, a few civil officials, whether they had offended Zheng Zhilong or not, were dragged and forced to drink a large amount of wine; even if they refused, they could not refuse.

This made them complain bitterly.

Fortunately, even when drunk, Zheng Zhilong maintained a considerable amount of reason and clarity, and did not truly cause a scene.

After the banquet ended, everyone finally returned to their respective places to rest.

In the blink of an eye, more than ten days passed.

The eunuch sent by the court to read the imperial edict finally arrived.

Those who received the news hurriedly rushed into the government office to report.

The assembled officials who were discussing matters dared not be negligent upon hearing the sound; they quickly tidied their clothes and hats, and only then stepped out to welcome him.

The first to walk out was still the Prefect, Zhou Xun.

One did not know if his head had been squeezed by a door.

According to custom, it should have been the highest administrative official of the government office who led people out.

Although Su Qiao had no official rank and was not in the court.

But do not forget, he was the Imperial Envoy.

The so-called Viceroy of the Southeast War, he was almost one rank higher than any official!

It should be said that Su Qiao was currently the highest official in Quanzhou Prefecture; if anyone were to lead people out, it should have been Su Qiao.

However, Zhou Xun, without saying a word, took Vice Prefect Li Heyu and other officials close to him and went out.

Obviously, he wanted to steal Su Qiao's spotlight, or perhaps express some dissatisfaction.

The other neutral officials in the government office, or some officials with relatively small courage, dared not offend either side.

They quietly waited for Su Qiao's reaction.

"Um, my lord Su, my lords Zhou and the others might have been too eager; what do you think..."

"It is no matter. The Imperial Envoy has arrived and should be welcomed; let us go out as well."

Su Qiao said with a smile.

He was not angry; on the contrary, he was quite curious about what Zhou Xun and the others were thinking.

To say they were brain-dead and lost their minds, Su Qiao absolutely did not believe it!

If they had no ability, they could not have been promoted to their current official ranks.

But if you say they had any grudge against Su Qiao, Su Qiao felt the possibility was also relatively low.

The only possibility was that they were arrogant and wanted to seize more merit, or had other plans.

Since they had other thoughts, Su Qiao did not care.

His second southern expedition was to deal with the Dutch.

After the Dutch were dealt with, he had already been considering when to return.

He couldn't possibly stay here forever, could he?

Su Qiao thought this while smiling as he led the other officials out of the prefectural yamen.

Then they went to welcome the Imperial Envoy bearing the edict.

Only at this moment did Zhou Xun and the others seem to have just remembered, or perhaps just noticed, Su Qiao and his party.

"Oh dear, Lord Su, it is we who have failed in our duty; we were too hasty. You should go first, you go first!"

Su Qiao narrowed his eyes, clearly seeing that Zhou Xun's words did not match his heart.

Who knows what he was thinking in his heart?

Besides, did he rush out just now merely to yield to me?

So upon hearing this, Su Qiao quickly waved his hand and said, "No need, no need; Lord Zhou is after all the Prefect of Quanzhou Prefecture, so Lord Zhou should go first!"

"In that case, this humble official will respectfully accept your command!"

After repeated polite refusals, Zhou Xun happily agreed.

Su Qiao became even more curious, wanting to know what Zhou Xun intended to do.

He stood to the side and slightly behind Zhou Xun, gathering with Wang Da, the Assistant Prefect of Quanzhou, to quietly watch Zhou Xun and the others perform.

"The Angel has arrived!"

A loud proclamation came from outside; Su Qiao and the others saw a soft sedan chair being carried over from a distance, escorted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and soldiers.

Sitting inside the soft sedan chair was, of course, the Eunuch Envoy who had come to proclaim the edict.

"Respectfully welcome the Imperial Envoy!"

Zhou Xun bowed deeply and led the officials in shouting.

Immediately after, the Eunuch Envoy stepped out from the sedan chair.

Eh?

357, Eunuch Wu!

Su Qiao found this eunuch familiar.

However, Zhou Xun was at the forefront now; no rush, let's first see what he actually wants.

All other matters can be pushed to the back; proclaiming the Imperial Edict is the most important.

The Eunuch Envoy Wu Xiuyue swept his arrogant gaze around, discovered that Su Qiao was standing at the back, and his face instantly changed; he was about to open his mouth to say something.

Su Qiao quickly gave him a look.

He himself was under Wang Chengen's command and also served Zhu Youjian as an eunuch.