Chapter 156: The Relationship Between the King and the Pirates Has Broken Down.

Srivijaya, Palembang.

Liang Daoming led people to patrol the borders. Someone hurriedly ran up from behind and reported, “Your Majesty, Zheng Bo is back.”

“Finally, he’s here!”

Liang Daoming was overjoyed and immediately arranged for his deputy to continue patrolling while he led the others back to the royal palace.

When Zheng Bo saw Liang Daoming, he intended to bow, but Liang Daoming helped him up, saying, “We live outside, where’s the need for such formalities? Take a seat quickly and tell me, what exactly happened in Penghu?”

In recent days, many pirates seeking refuge had arrived in the Old Port, but there was no sign of Chen Zuyi and others, which made Liang Daoming somewhat uneasy.

Zheng Bo’s face showed a hint of a smile as he said, “Your Majesty, Chen Zuyi probably won’t be able to plunder anymore.”

“Oh? Tell me the details.”

Liang Daoming looked at Zheng Bo with anticipation.

Zheng Bo took a sip of tea and said, “Chen Zuyi wanted to devour Zheng He’s naval fleet, seize the Treasure ship, and completely control the South Seas. However, the naval fleet of the Ming is formidable, especially with Zheng He leading it. He is both courageous and strategic, and his officers and soldiers are extremely fierce. In my observation, the naval power of Ming is invincible in the South Seas.”

“So powerful?”

Liang Daoming took a deep breath.

Zheng Bo sighed, saying, “Chen Zuyi may be a pirate overlord at sea, rampant and fearless, valiant and ruthless, never experiencing defeat. But under Zheng He’s command, he had no power to resist. Although he used two hundred ships and over five thousand pirates, he was completely defeated. The process was like this…”

As Zheng He narrated, Liang Daoming couldn’t help but be impressed by the naval strength of Ming and developed a keen interest in Zheng He, a figure who combined leadership and military prowess.

“It seems that we need to establish contact with Ming.”

Liang Daoming said solemnly.

“If we can unite with Ming, Majapahit will not dare to invade Srivijaya again.”

Zheng Bo said confidently.

Liang Daoming pondered for a moment and asked, “Chen Zuyi is not dead. Where do you think he might have escaped to?”

Zheng Bo shook his head, saying, “Chen Zuyi has many bases at sea, and it’s easy for him to find a hiding place. Although he escaped with his life, more than half of his elite forces have been lost. If we find Chen Zuyi at this time…”

Liang Daoming looked at Zheng Bo, who drew a line across his neck, and furrowed his brows, ultimately shaking his head.

There was a hint of disappointment in Zheng Bo’s eyes. Perhaps the king hadn’t decided how to handle the relationship with Chen Zuyi.

Two years ago, Majapahit destroyed the old Srivijaya dynasty. To completely occupy Srivijaya, Liang Daoming had to resist and lead the Chinese and dissatisfied indigenous nobles in a counterattack against Majapahit.

As the battles continued and victories were achieved, Liang Daoming gained a firm foothold and was elected as the king.

In the two years that followed, many overseas Chinese joined Srivijaya, strengthening Liang Daoming’s power.

However, the influence of Srivijaya was limited, confined to Palembang and its surroundings, making it difficult to expand beyond.

To broaden the influence of Srivijaya and counter Majapahit, Liang Daoming chose to cooperate with Chen Zuyi.

Liang Daoming needed Chen Zuyi’s fleet to protect the open sea outside the Palembang and prevent the aggression of Majapahit. In return, Chen Zuyi needed recognition from a ruler and, at the same time, convenient opportunities for plunder. Thus, Liang Daoming and Chen Zuyi started their collaboration.

At first, the two got along well, meeting in Palembang one day and fishing in the sea the next, laughing and talking intimately.

But after half a year, the honeymoon period ended, and Liang Daoming and Chen Zuyi began to quarrel.

The reason for the arguments was not because Liang Daoming had a third party but rather economic disputes.

Liang Daoming said:

I want to live a good life. You can’t keep plundering all the time.

Chen Zuyi was annoyed:

I plunder every day just to live a good life!

Liang Daoming got angry:

You plunder every day, but not a single ship has come to my Palembang. How am I supposed to collect taxes? I’ve had no ships for months. Am I supposed to drink seawater to survive?

Chen Zuyi became furious:

You sit at home collecting money every day, and you still have the nerve to talk?

I come and go in the wind and rain, wielding a white knife in, a red knife out. Isn’t it also to avoid drinking a few mouthfuls of seawater?

Liang Daoming hoped that Palembang would be a free port where everyone could come and go safely.

Chen Zuyi wanted to monopolize the sea routes. Whether you were of China descent or a foreigner, as long as you weren’t his brother, he would rob you.

And when there was nothing left to plunder, even brothers were fair game.

The conflicts between the two escalated continuously, and Liang Daoming had no better solution. He could only sit in the harbor, looking at the sea every day, hoping that the Sea Dragon King would emerge and devour Chen Zuyi.

But imagining and cursing couldn’t kill Chen Zuyi. When Liang Daoming heard that Chen Zuyi was gathering pirates for a big deal, he had a plan. He arranged for Zheng Bo to participate and prepared to lend a knife to kill someone.

Zheng Bo didn’t disappoint Liang Daoming’s trust. He found this knife from Ming, helping Ming eliminate Chen Zuyi’s pirate group.

However, Chen Zuyi did not die.

This was not only regrettable for Zheng He but also unsettling Liang Daoming.

Liang Daoming looked at Zheng Bo and said solemnly, “You need to go to Ming, find Zheng He, and have him relay to the Emperor of Ming. Tell him that Srivijaya is willing to be a vassal of Ming, paying tribute every year.”

“My King, what a brilliant plan!”

Zheng Bo was momentarily stunned but quickly understood the intricacies.

Becoming a vassal of Míng would mean that Míng had the responsibility and obligation to protect Srivijaya. Whether it was Majapahit, surrounding countries, or Chen Zuyi, anyone wanting to harm Srivijaya would have to consider the actions of Ming.

Most importantly, becoming a vassal of the Ming meant that Ming would not interfere with the rule of Srivijaya. Srivijaya would remain Srivijaya, and Liang Daoming would remain the king. The annual tribute paid would be nothing more than some goods.

No, not even goods needed to be paid.

Because for every tribute, Ming would reciprocate with an equivalent value, and even give additional rewards.

It was a win-win situation.

Zheng Bo stood up, deeply bowed to Liang Daoming, and said, “Then please, my King, write a royal edict. If possible, I will personally go to the capital of Ming and present it to the Emperor of Ming.”

“Good!”

Liang Daoming was delighted, turned towards the desk, unfolded a piece of paper, took up the brush, and solemnly wrote, “Overseas vassal state, King Liang Daoming of Srivijaya pays respects to the Emperor of Ming…”

In the capital, Kunning Palace.

Zhu Yunwen pulled Ma Enhui and had her sit down securely, smiling, “Empress, have some meat.”

“I don’t want to. I have no appetite.”

“How about some soup then?”

“It’s too expensive. I can’t afford it.”

“Uh, how about some vegetables?”

“I’m full. I’m going to work. Does the Emperor have any other orders?”

Zhu Yunwen looked at the sorrowful Ma Enhui and consoled, “The Ministry of Revenue allocated 200.000 taels. I only need 100.000 taels to build the Bao’en Temple. The remaining 100.000 taels will go into the Empress’s account, how about that?”

“The Emperor is joking. 100.000 taels is simply impossible. Even the God of Wealth couldn’t do it.”

Ma Enhui calculated the expenses involved and knew how expensive it would be.

Zhu Yunwen picked up the chopsticks and picked up a piece of meat for Ma Enhui, gently saying, “Empress, just watch. I only need to contribute a hundred thousand taels, and the Bao’en Temple will be built.”

Shuangxi hurriedly came over, seeing Zhu Yunwen and Ma Enhui having a meal, and was about to leave.

“Speak.”

Zhu Yunwen shouted.

Shuangxi took a few steps forward, took out a book from his sleeve, and handed it over, saying, “Your Majesty, the two kings sent this book, hoping that Your Majesty could give some advice.”

Zhu Yunwen was somewhat puzzled, took the book, and looked at it. It was “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” but this book was neither printed by the Printing office nor the China Bookstore; it was produced by a shop called Liu’s Bookstore.

“Piracy?”

Zhu Yunwen widened his eyes, and countless white horses galloped through his mind. Someone dared to shave his wool?

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