I am Li Shen and Li Shimin, the free kings of the Tang Dynasty

To the east of the Heling Kingdom in the South China Sea of ​​the Tang Dynasty is an archipelago whose previous name was unknown, but now it is occupied by a group of pirates.

Officially named the Spice Island, there are countless rare spices on the island, many of which were not picked in time and are scattered all over the ground.

If someone saw it, they would definitely beat their chests and stamp their feet, then pick up everything with shining eyes.

A camp had been built on one of the larger islands in the archipelago.

"Captain, those black monkeys are here again."

Zhao Derong was lying in the shade of a tree when a member of the pirate group came over to report.

"Here they come again. Aren't these monkeys afraid of death?"

Zhao Derong sat up.

“I don’t know either, they were all in small boats, and the distance between us was not far, but not close either.

If there are storms, they will all become fish feed."

This little Luo Luo was also a little puzzled.

The pirate group has far more people and weapons than these people. Compared with the pirate group, these people are simply vulnerable. There is a world of difference.

But these people are not afraid of death and still try desperately to get to the island.

“This is the nth wave of people this month?”

Zhao Derong lay back down, picked up a piece of fruit and asked while eating.

"It should be the fifth wave of people. Ever since the people in Heling discovered that we are here, people from the nearest island have started to come here."

Xiao Luo Luo replied.

“This is strange. They knew we were on the island, but they still dared to come here. Aren’t they afraid of death?

We captured many of them and killed quite a few.

Didn't you ask?"

Zhao Derong frowned after hearing this.

The Kingdom of Heling is not far from here, especially the nearest island.

They once went there to exchange supplies, but the supplies were scarce in Heling State, so they stopped going there later.

But by chance, they were discovered by the people of the Heling Kingdom and occupied this place.

People started coming towards them by boat one after another, and they thought they were enemies at first.

So when warnings proved fruitless, they launched an attack, capturing and killing those they wanted.

Zhao Derong didn't know what this group of people wanted to do.

This is the fifth wave of people this month.

“Captain, we asked them too, but these monkeys couldn’t understand us. They were talking in a barrage and we couldn’t understand them.

So now we imprison them and let them pick spices on weekdays.

Another thing is trying to grow spices.”

Xiao Luo Luo explained.

"Well, go ahead. By the way, call Ma Hu." Zhao Derong waved his hand, and the little Luo Luo saluted and retreated.

After a while, a strong man came over.

"Meet the captain."

The strong man saluted immediately when he came up.

"Well, come sit down."

Zhao Derong pointed to the stool next to him.

"Thank you, Captain."

"Ma Hu, how long have you been here?"

After Ma Hu sat down, Zhao Derong asked.

"Replying to the group leader, it has been almost a year."

Sloppy answer.

"Well, you were sent to me as a military advisor. I heard that you are well-educated, but you just offended someone in Chang'an.

That's why I used connections to get someone to send you here.

This leader has never asked you who you offended and what your relationship with the higher-ups is.

Why would someone write to recommend you to come to me? "

Zhao Derong looked at Ma Hu and asked calmly.

When Ma Hu found their contact station at the Guangzhou wharf and the contact station sent someone to inform him, he was a little surprised.

The pirates recruited people from the seaside who were poor. They were good at swimming, knew a lot, and were poor.

King Ji once said that the most terrifying thing about people is being poor. When people are poor to a certain extent, they can be compared with ghosts, allowing them to do anything and not be afraid of death.

Therefore, apart from those of them who were the fiefdoms of Prince Ji’s Mansion as the management, no one else joined.

Although Zhao Derong was confused, he still sent someone to pick up Ma Hu.

Ma Hu gave him a letter, saying that Ma Hu had offended someone in Chang'an, and came out to avoid the limelight and find a way to make a living.

He also said that Ma Hu was well-educated and could be his military advisor, and that he could be trusted.

So he has always been curious about where this Ma Hu came from.

But he was always unsure, so he didn't ask, especially after what happened with No. 76.

He felt that everyone around him looked like number 76.

“In reply to the captain, I did offend someone in Chang’an. The people of the Five Surnames had no choice but to flee far away in order to survive.

As for my relationship, I can only tell the captain that I know someone in Prince Ji's mansion."

Ma Hu replied that he was the best supporting actor when Li Shen was dealing with the Wending Chamber of Commerce formed by the aristocratic families.

After being sent south, he finally arrived at the Spice Islands.

Zhao Derong thought for a moment and smiled:

"So that's how it is. Military Advisor Ma is related to Prince Ji's Mansion, so we are all family.

I will need Advisor Ma to give me advice in the future."

Zhao Derong listened to Ma Hu's explanation without asking any further questions.

Regardless of whether what Ma Hu said was true or false, at least he was sent by his superiors, and his loyalty was definitely not a problem.

As for whether he was being monitored, Zhao Derong had no intention of rebelling.

Because he knew that Prince Ji's Mansion had formed a new Straw Hat Pirates Group, which was now active in their previous area.

I heard that both their weapons and equipment and ships are more advanced than theirs.

If they really betrayed, they would be hunted down endlessly, and they would not be found in the vast ocean.

But they need food and supplies, and it is not difficult to find them with the means of Prince Ji's Mansion.

Zhao Derong was very scared because his family was still in the hands of Prince Ji's Mansion.

What does he care about being careless?

"Captain, you are too polite. I am not very knowledgeable and don't know much about things at sea. If there is anything wrong, I hope you can give me some advice."

Ma Hu is also very polite.

"Military Advisor Ma, I have another important matter to discuss with you today. I am feeling uneasy and want to discuss it with you."

Zhao Derong became much more polite.

"I don't know what the captain wants to do. Let's see if Ma can help him."

Ma Hu asked.

"That's right. As you know, Boss Cao and Er Huzi led the fleet to carry out the order of Prince Ji's Mansion.

But five months have passed and there is still no news, and the person has not returned.

I am a little worried that something unexpected might happen.”

Zhao Derong seemed a little worried when talking about this matter.

Whether it is the loss of people or ships, it is a huge loss for Roger's pirate group.

By then, he would have no way to explain to Prince Ji's Mansion.

More importantly, he still doesn’t know what exactly happened. How is he going to explain it to King Ji?

“Captain, don’t worry, the two leaders are with most of our troops and combatants.

Even if we encounter an accident, we are invincible on this sea, not to mention we have the secret weapon of King Ji."

Ma Hu tried to comfort him, but he was also unsure.