Chapter 3, Inspector Ding

Zou Weilian and Ding Yuanzhao have always had a good relationship. He originally intended to promote Ding Yunyi, but considering Ding Yuanzhao's eccentric temperament, he chose to hold back for the time being. At this moment, it was Zheng Zhulong who first mentioned that there was no better opportunity than this.

I am but a humble servant

At this point, could Ding Yunyi say he was unwilling? Gritting his teeth, he said: "Thank you, General Xie!"

Zheng Zhilong was overjoyed upon hearing this, and hurriedly expressed his humility a few times. He glanced at Ding Yuanzhao, who had been sitting quietly under Zou Weilian's command: "In response to the Governor, in this battle, our fleet's sailor Ding Yunyi bravely took the lead, approaching the two ships of the Red Yi. Yunyi fought without regard for his life, being the first to board the enemy ship, killing two valiant and skilled warriors of the Red Yi and severely wounding another, forcing the Red Yi to surrender. We captured a large ship from the Red Yi, which is indeed a significant achievement. It is necessary to commend him, and I request the Governor to promote him." It is necessary to commend him, and I request the Governor to promote him.

After reciting the report of victory to the court with great intonation, Zou Weilian, filled with joy, shifted his tone: "The success of this battle is due to the Emperor's great fortune, and to the bravery of Deputy General Zheng Zhilong, who led the troops into battle and fought valiantly, thus achieving great merit. I have already recommended him based on the facts, and I believe the court's favor will arrive shortly."

This, Xiang Wenyong, is indeed quite surprising to me... Zou Weilian called out Ding Yunyi's name "Xiang Wen", and then after a brief pause, said: "I have decided to appoint Xiang Wen as the commander..."

Zou Weilian displayed hesitation on his face and called Ding Yuanzhao to his side, whispering: "Brother Duanran, how can we station people in Penghu? You previously only had two daughters, and now that you have a son like Xiangwen, how can you bear to send him to Penghu?"

Thus, Ding Yunyi, in the humble capacity of a mere sailor, was unexpectedly able to meet with a group of deputy generals and vice generals, receiving an audience with Zou Weilian, the Governor of Fujian and concurrently the military commander.

As he looked at the cheering brothers, Ding Yunyi also experienced for the first time the thrill and excitement brought by battle

"Brother Duanran, oh Brother Duanran." Zou Weilian shook his head repeatedly, feeling utterly helpless against this good friend: "I will yield to you on this matter, but when your esteemed wife comes knocking in the future, you must not blame me for it."

Throwing oneself into such a place is truly risking one's life! Am I really the "son" of Ding Yuanzhao?

Although it is now the sixth year of the Chongzhen era, with internal and external troubles facing the Ming Dynasty, the navy of the Ming Dynasty remains extraordinarily powerful, defeating the European maritime hegemon, the Netherlands, causing them to flee in disarray and suffer significant losses

It is unclear whether the previous individual, "Ding Yunyi," offended this old stubborn person, leading to the old stubborn person treating his son in this manner

Ding Yuanzhao was indeed not mistaken about this; the current Ding Yunyi has truly become a different person.

Ding Yunyi was not concerned about the rank of the official; he understood that "Penghu Biao" was a formal military unit in Penghu, previously known as "Penghu You." This military unit was temporarily disbanded due to the Dutch attack, and later, the Ming Dynasty reinstated it on the condition of not interfering in the affairs of the Dutch East India Company in Taiwan.

The cries of "Long live!" resounded across the sea, marking the great victory of the Ming naval battle

Ding Yuanzhao continued, "What I mean is to let him spend another year in Penghu for training, so that he can develop well in the future. He is only eighteen years and three months old this year, very young; what harm can a little hardship do to him?"

The only thing Ding Yunyi could not comprehend was how such a great Ming dynasty could fall so suddenly

"General Fu," Ding Yuanzhao said calmly, "It is precisely because I had a son in my middle age that I love him deeply and hold him to high standards. Xiang Wen has always been intelligent since childhood, but his character is timid. That is why I placed him in the army for training. In just a few short months, General Fu, you can see that Xiang Wen seems like a completely different person; he is actually able to defeat formidable enemies. Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I would hardly dare to recognize that this is my son"

Although Ding Yunyi was part of Zheng Zhilong's fleet, his status was unique, as he was backed by his father, Ding Yuanzhao. Zheng Zhilong deliberately cultivated a good relationship with him and, when reporting military achievements, made a point to emphasize Ding Yunyi's contributions significantly.

He spoke, his expression becoming serious: "Ding Yunyi."

The words "I, a humble servant" caused everyone to burst into laughter, while Ding Yuanzhao glared at his son with wide eyes in anger

Bao Juhua approached, holding her injured rib, and expressed her profound gratitude to Ding Yunyi for saving her life, repeatedly thanking him

As soon as the words were spoken, Ding Yuanzhao interjected, saying: "Ding Yunyi is still very young, not yet nineteen this year, and has no official title to his name. Relying solely on brute strength, how can he possibly take on the role of a captain? I believe he should serve as an inspector instead. The captain of the Penghu region, Hong Diaoyuan, previously submitted a request stating that there is still a vacancy for an inspector in the Penghu area. I believe Ding Yunyi could go there to take up the position and manage the affairs."

In this battle, the Ming navy achieved a resounding victory. Four Dutch warships were sunk or burned, one was captured, and the remaining Dutch warships all suffered heavy damage before fleeing. Moreover, the fifty ships brought by the pirate Liu Xiang to assist in the battle were completely annihilated

In this naval battle, two individuals stood out particularly: one was the vanguard, Deputy General Zheng Zhilong, and the other was Ding Yunyi, the son of Ding Yuanzhao, who was in charge of military affairs in Fujian

Even if Ding Yunyi were to become an inspector, he would merely be a lowly ninth-rank official; how could he possibly have the qualifications to refer to himself with the term "humble position"? Yet, seeing everyone laugh, Ding Yunyi felt inexplicably confused, unaware of what he had said wrong

The size of the official position is irrelevant; the issue is that the current Penghu is not the same as it was during Ding Yunyi's time. It is desolate to an extreme degree. Ding Yunyi only remembered that there were three edible items: sweet potatoes, peanuts, and sorghum. Moreover, the climate in Penghu is quite different from that of Taiwan, and there is hardly any vegetation to be seen.

Ding Yunyi's valor greatly inspired the morale of the officers and soldiers of the Ming navy, while significantly weakening the fighting spirit of the Dutch.

Before long, the Dutch on this ship chose to surrender. This also became the first Dutch warship captured by the Ming navy

During the reign of the Tianqi period of the Ming Dynasty, the original "Penghu Tour" was elevated to "Penghu Standard," and the highest official was promoted from a general to a guerrilla commander. However, due to the desolate and barren nature of Penghu, no guerrilla commander had ever taken office there; it had always been managed by a general overseeing the military and local livelihood in Penghu.

Yet in my heart, I have scolded myself as 'I' thousands of times, bringing myself to such a desolate place as Penghu; what exactly is the intention behind this?

This action resulted in the burning of thousands of enemy troops, the capture of one hundred and eighteen enemy soldiers, the destruction of five large enemy ships, and the seizure of one large enemy vessel. The high-ranking official (Governor of Taiwan) and fleet commander Putmans resigned from his position as commander after the naval battle

Zou Weilian smiled and passed by, thinking that Ding Yunyi must have been too nervous in front of the officials, which led to his slip of the tongue, and did not take it to heart: "Ding Yunyi, you have made a great contribution this time and should be richly rewarded. However, considering your youth and slight lack of experience, I hereby appoint you as the inspector of Penghu. Do you accept this?"

The naval battle achieved victory in such a manner that even Zou Weilian, the Governor of Fujian, had not anticipated

Just this one sentence demoted Ding Yunyi, who had originally secured the position of a seventh-rank deputy, to the ninth-rank inspector.