Chapter 355: Once is a stranger, twice is an acquaintance!

On the deep blue sea, the Great Ming naval fleet was slaughtering like autumn winds sweeping away fallen leaves.

When the pirates, originally numbering one thousand or two thousand, could no longer satisfy them, Zhang Cheng's ambition began to grow.

Because he knew it was time for him to stir up some trouble.

As the fleet sailed toward the east, Zhang Cheng began to plot his plunder.

Half a month later, crossing Jeju Island,

"Regional Commander, where are we going? The remaining food on the fleet is running low!"

A Deputy Regional Commander looked at the course, which seemed wrong, and immediately asked in surprise.

"I'm taking the brothers to borrow some silver!"

Looking at the Deputy Regional Commander beside him, Zhang Cheng smiled.

"Borrow silver?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in confusion, the Deputy Regional Commander's face was filled with bewilderment.

But just at this moment, Ding Xiu ran back: "Land in sight! Land in sight!"

"It seems the navigation studies I learned were still of some use!"

Speaking with a face full of smiles, Zhang Cheng pointed forward: "Once we go ashore, help yourselves to the silver."

"Help ourselves to the silver?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in disbelief, the Deputy Regional Commander asked in astonishment.

"Since the Japanese pirates can go to the Great Ming, why can't we come here?"

Looking at the Deputy Regional Commander beside him, Zhang Cheng patted his shoulder: "Don't you know that compared to the meager salary earned through hard work, robbing is the fastest way?"

Staring at Zhang Cheng in astonishment, the Deputy Regional Commander swallowed his saliva with scarlet eyes: "But this matter!"

"Don't worry, His Majesty will support us when the time comes!"

Thinking of the mineral deposits of the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, Zhang Cheng didn't believe that a pauper like Jiajing could resist.

When the time came, even if he didn't want to rob, the hundred officials in the imperial court would fight to the death to send troops.

You have to know, there is no one in this world who can refuse profit.

The Ming Dynasty was almost bankrupt; if they didn't do something "inhumane," they would truly go broke!

Anyway, it wasn't his first time here, and besides, once is a stranger, twice is an acquaintance. As the big brother, if I "borrow" a little silver from you and let you be a dog, and you still have the face to bark, are you looking for a beating?

One day later, the Great Ming warships docked.

When the surrounding villagers saw this scene and were filled with confusion, Zhang Cheng roared: "From now on, forced march, advance toward Iwami!"

Quickly forming ranks, the Great Ming troops immediately assembled.

Trembling as he approached the Great Ming troops, a village head asked: "May I ask, my lords, you are..."

"What is he jabbering about? Behead him!"

Pointing not far away, Ding Xiu immediately scolded.

"Clatter!"

Drawing his sword, a soldier directly beheaded him.

Watching this scene, the remaining villagers were so frightened they scrambled to escape.

"Seal their mouths!"

Speaking indifferently, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but raise his brows.

"Yes!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng's order, the cavalry quickly charged out.

Not long after, as raging fires burned, Zhang Cheng waved his hand forward, and the eight-thousand-strong army advanced rapidly.

Don't think that the Great Ming naval troops could only fight on the sea and rivers; once ashore, a fully-paid Great Ming army could fight ten men each!

Two days later, when the daimyo of the Amago clan learned that the Great Ming army had come ashore, he was completely stunned.

Because he didn't remember ever provoking the Great Ming!

And how could the Great Ming army have come ashore on his territory?

When the Amago clan sent their house priest to inquire, they suddenly learned one thing: the Great Ming army was here for the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine.

Hearing this, the daimyo of the Amago clan almost burst into tears.

Because the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine was the very existence that supported the Amago clan's "hegemony"—if this were snatched away by the Great Ming army, how would they survive! But Zhang Cheng didn't care about these things, because to him, those who couldn't live could just go die!

After all, he had no use for kindness!

Quickly occupying the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, the Great Ming soldiers were dumbfounded when they saw the white, gleaming silver being refined here.

There were even many soldiers who had learned craftsmanship who took the initiative to take charge of technical reforms, allowing them to refine silver faster.

Inside the military tent, all the generals looked at the table and were stunned where they stood.

Because it was covered in silver!

"Gentlemen, I won't say any more unnecessary words."

Tapping on the table, Zhang Cheng spoke with a smile in his eyes.

"Regional Commander, no need to say anything. This silver mine has belonged to our Great Ming since ancient times; it doesn't matter who comes!"

Slamming the table and standing up, a Deputy Regional Commander immediately roared.

"That's right, this silver mine has always belonged to our Great Ming, but these Japanese pirates actually swallowed our Great Ming mine—simply shameful!"

Roaring in anger, many Great Ming generals were heartbroken.

"No, I meant to say, there are too few people mining!"

Looking at the generals who were united in hatred, Zhang Cheng's mouth twitched.

He had thought everyone's bottom line was flexible, but he hadn't expected them to have no bottom line at all!

Zhang Cheng at least admitted he was here to rob, but they directly claimed the silver mine belonged to the Great Ming—this was simply absurd!

Naval General: You need a righteous cause for war, Regional Commander!

Zhang Cheng: Ah, do you need a reason to be a fierce pirate?

Situ Yaozu: Back when we attacked South Asia, we just went in with knives in our hands!

Urgently sending a priest, the Amago clan was now so anxious their faces had turned pale.

!. Read

But before the so-called priest could pay a visit, he was thrown into the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine to mine by the patrolling Great Ming soldiers.

Because the Japanese pirates in the surrounding area had all been caught; anyone who was a person had to be thrown into the silver mine by them.

After several days without a response, the Amago clan also flared up, because even if you are the Celestial Empire, you can't bully people!

Thinking of this, the Amago clan immediately began to muster troops.

When the Amago clan, having sent out five thousand troops, intended to have a showdown with Zhang Cheng, they discovered that the person they were facing was truly their own father!

"Five thousand men, plus the farmers, at least eight or nine thousand, right?"

Stroking his chin, Zhang Cheng stood on a hill and spoke.

As for why he called it a hill, it was because the mountains here were truly short.

"My lord, these people cannot all be killed; we are too short on miners!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng beside him, the Deputy Regional Commander's face was filled with excitement.

"Then listen to you, have them all mine!"

Waving his hand indifferently, Zhang Cheng spoke without a care.

"Kill!"

Wielding the katana in his hand, the daimyo of the Amago clan roared.

But before his five-thousand-strong army could charge out, they saw the cannons roar.

"Boom, boom, boom!"

Over a dozen cannons fired steel balls, instantly plowing a bloody path.

Watching this scene, the Deputy Regional Commander hurriedly roared: "Who the hell fired the cannons? Don't you know these are all important miners for our Great Ming? Capture them alive, capture them alive for me!"

Watching the Deputy Regional Commander who was so upset, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but twitch his mouth.

Because people, once they consider something their own, will become very precious of it!

"This is impossible, how could my Amago clan's samurai be defeated so easily!"

Looking at the scene before him in disbelief, when the daimyo of the Amago clan saw his five thousand foot soldiers and hundreds of samurai all defeated, he was instantly dumbfounded.

And just at this moment, a Great Ming soldier wearing cotton armor came before him, looking down from above: "Damn, this guy is really short, and he's wearing such thick clothes—can he even jump?"

Sneering, the Great Ming soldier smiled.

"Oh, this is a big fish; his head is worth at least twenty taels, right?"

Looking at the different colored armor, another Great Ming soldier also came up carrying a sword.

Looking at the Great Ming soldiers who were like giants, the daimyo of the Amago clan collapsed to the ground in despair.

Because if ordinary Great Ming soldiers were this fierce, how terrifying must their generals be?

Anda: Listen to me, if your life is hard, just go for it—one strike and not a peep!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 356 =====