Chapter 504

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

With a broad smile on her face, Lu Luo bowed to Xiao Ming, revealing two rows of neat, white teeth.

Nodding slightly, Xiao Ming gestured for Lu Luo to go to Fei Yuer, while he himself headed towards the Qingzhou great prison with Zhao Long and Zhao Hu.

Through the dark and damp passage, Xiao Ming met Meng Youliang in the deepest part of the prison.

Although Meng Youliang had been confined in the dungeon for this period, his food and clothing were different from other prisoners, and he had not suffered any grievances.

After all, even the warden of the prison knew that he was Lu Luo’s elder brother, and Lu Luo was Prince Qi’s maid.

Meng Youliang had already met Xiao Ming in Dengzhou. When he heard footsteps and saw Xiao Ming walking towards him, he immediately climbed down from the bed.

“I greet Your Highness,” Meng Youliang said nervously.

Xiao Ming surveyed Meng Youliang. He was wearing new clothes, his bedding was new, and his cell was a single room. On the table were unfinished leftovers, a bowl of rice, a plate of pickles, and a plate of green beans.

“You’re living quite well in this prison,” Xiao Ming said with a smile.

Meng Youliang chuckled and said, “Thanks to Your Highness’s kindness, otherwise how could I receive such great grace?”

“You should be most grateful to your younger sister; these things were all sent to you by her through others,” Xiao Ming snorted. “But your heart is quite ruthless, never having cared about her life or death.”

Meng Youliang’s face darkened, and his expression became somewhat sad. He said to Xiao Ming, “Your Highness, I know I have wronged her. If it weren’t for impulsiveness back then, she wouldn’t have sold herself. I have been filled with regret all these years.”

“At least you have some conscience.” Xiao Ming snorted. “I came to see you today not by chance. It’s just that Lu Luo has done a lot for me during this time. I feel sorry for her and want to give her a reward, but never thought she still cares about you, her elder brother.”

“That silly girl.” Meng Youliang became even more saddened upon hearing this, his voice catching in his throat. He suddenly knelt down and said to Xiao Ming, “Your Highness, I am absolutely not a Japanese collaborator. I beg Your Highness to investigate clearly and release me. I do not ask for myself, but only wish to use the rest of my life to compensate Lu Luo.”

After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Ming said, “I have confirmed the information you brought. Japan indeed has a plan to attack the Great Yu Empire. However, you have been mingling among the Japanese pirates for so long, and have even harmed many fishermen in Dengzhou. Your past misdeeds make it difficult for people to believe you.”

Meng Youliang lowered his head. “Your Highness, I was also forced to do so. Those Japanese pirates forced me to do it. If I didn’t comply, I couldn’t have infiltrated the Japanese pirates to find my enemy, but I always held back when acting.”

Shaking his head, Xiao Ming said, “I now believe you are innocent, but if it is as you say, I also do not want a meritorious person to be disgraced, coupled with Lu Luo’s request, so you are now free.”

“I can leave?” Meng Youliang couldn’t quite believe his ears.

“Yes, after leaving the prison, find a livelihood and live a down-to-earth life,” Xiao Ming said lightly.

Meng Youliang was stunned. This sudden change left him momentarily unresponsive, but upon coming to his senses, he suddenly said, “Thank you, Your Highness. However, I am accustomed to living by the sea, and I don’t want to bear the crime of collaborating with the Japanese. I beg Your Highness to give me an opportunity to prove myself.”

“Just like you proved your sincerity in wanting to be a Japanese pirate?” Xiao Ming asked teasingly. This Meng Youliang truly made him conflicted.

Meng Youliang’s face flushed crimson. He opened his mouth, then suddenly let out a deep sigh. “A single misstep leads to eternal regret. I truly deserve it.”

“However…” Just as Meng Youliang was secretly regretting, Xiao Ming’s tone suddenly changed.

Meng Youliang suddenly looked up, as if he saw a glimmer of hope. “I hope Your Highness will enlighten me.”

Xiao Ming thought for a moment and said, “If you really want to prove yourself, there is a way. Now that I have controlled the coastal routes and defeated the Japanese pirates in Ryukyu, the Japanese pirates will surely retaliate against me at sea during this period. After all, the Japanese pirates are numerous and have dominated the seas for many years, they won’t be so willing to lose to me. And in my opinion, the way to deal with pirates is pirates. If you want to prove yourself, why not eliminate the rampant Japanese pirates at sea for me?”

“Eliminate the Japanese pirates at sea?” Meng Youliang’s forehead broke out in tiny beads of sweat. He said, “Your Highness, the number of these Japanese pirates is as many as eighty thousand. These people are scattered across the sea, sometimes gathering, sometimes dispersing, making them difficult to deal with. How can I eliminate these eighty thousand Japanese pirates alone?”

“It is precisely because it is difficult that your value can be proven. However, the word ‘pirate’ seems somewhat inappropriate. What I want you to do is actually privateering. You have been traveling at sea with the Japanese pirates for so many years, have you ever heard of privateering?” Xiao Ming asked.

Meng Youliang understood. He said, “I understand. I have indeed heard of privateering. In fact, they are just a group of pirates, but they are people who plunder enemy merchant ships and attack enemy pirates for their country.”

“Exactly, that kind of pirate. Since you’ve been at sea for so many years, surely you can gather a crew, right?” Xiao Ming asked seemingly casually.

“Your Highness, I can gather a crew. Many of the Japanese pirates’ sailors are actually coastal fishermen, and some are merchants. The number of actual Japanese pirates is only a little over thirty thousand. I have come to know many people at sea over the years.”

“Since that’s the case, I will give you a ship and make you the first privateer captain of the Great Yu Empire, how about that?” Xiao Ming said with a smile.

In fact, Xiao Ming discussing this with Meng Youliang today was not on a whim, but something he had considered for some time. In the next few years, the number of his naval battleships would not be able to contend with the true European powers at sea, and according to Claire, the European powers were currently supporting privateering or piracy.

On the one hand, this was to supplement insufficient naval power. At the same time, when one’s own merchant ships were attacked by privateers from other countries at sea, privateers could also be used to retaliate against the opponent’s merchant ships to recover losses. After all, in a dog-eat-dog world where there were no international rules, merchant ships that were plundered could not obtain compensation through official channels.

“Of course, you can also choose to refuse and live the life I described,” Xiao Ming added.

After hesitating for a moment, Meng Youliang said, “Your Highness, I am willing to be a privateer captain. However, what if we encounter the Great Yu Empire’s fleet at sea? Yue Yun still hates me very much.”

“That’s very simple. The Chamber of Commerce will issue you a privateering license. From then on, you will be my hidden force at sea.”