1850 American Gold Tycoon

"How many soldiers should Shajiao Fort have?! How many soldiers does Shajiao Fort have now?!"

Hong Mingxiang asked Liu Fang in a deep voice.

Hong Mingxiang was not unaware of the situation of the Guangdong Navy, but before that Hong Mingxiang, like most officials of the Qing Dynasty, had a muddled mentality.

Liang Yao's visit and Japan's rapid defeat sounded the alarm for Hong Mingxiang. Hong Mingxiang feels that Guangdong Province is on the front line of coastal defense and cannot continue to be so corrupt.

In fact, thanks to Lin Zexu's rectification of the coastal defense of Guangdong Province twelve years ago, the Humen Fort was already the best coastal defense fort in the entire Qing Dynasty.

The south is an important area for coastal defense. The three major navies of the Qing Dynasty, the Guangdong Navy, the Fujian Navy, and the Yangtze River Navy, were all located in the south.

Among these three naval forces, the Guangdong Navy is also in the best shape, followed by the Fujian Navy, and the most corrupt is the Yangtze River Navy.

Rao is the Guangdong Navy in the best condition, and the situation is also very worrying.

"The Shajiao Fort should have more than a thousand soldiers, but in fact there are more than 600. Many brothers have asked for leave."

When asked by Hong Mingxiang, Liu Fang was so frightened that she woke up and her whole body was shaking like a sieve.

"You are talking nonsense. Open your dog eyes and take a look. Are there 600 people on Shajiao Fort?! Liu Fang, Liu Fang, I think you have reached the end of your career."

Liu Fang's answer made Hong Mingxiang furious.

As the commander-in-chief of Shajiao Camp, Liu Fang couldn't even answer how many soldiers he had, and kept telling lies with his eyes open.

"The Shajiao Fort is garrisoned by the Shajiao Battalion. There are a total of 1,132 soldiers of various colors on the roster, and the actual number is 421."

At this time, a general who was kneeling aside answered.

"Finally someone knows what's going on."

Hong Mingxiang said to the famous general manager.

"Get up and speak. What is your name? What is your current position?"

"Chen Hai, who belongs to Hongjunmen and holds a humble position, is now the commander-in-chief of the Foreign Affairs Commission of Shajiao Fort." The commander-in-chief replied.

"I've always heard that the Luying Navy of Guangdong Province is corrupt, but I didn't expect that the corruption has reached such an extent."

Xu Guangjin was also shocked by the current situation at Shajiao Fort.

"Lord, this is just a human being. The situation of the cannons is also very worrying. I went to Mr. Pan to ask for an American tribute cannon. Compared with the American tribute cannons, these cannons on the Humen Fort are not worth mentioning. Not a cannon, but scrap metal!"

Immediately, Hong Mingxiang asked again.

"How many cannons are there on the Shajiao Fort, and how many of these cannons are usable?!"

Faced with this simple question from Hong Mingxiang, Liu Fang, not surprisingly, still couldn't answer it.

"According to the Hongjun Gate, there are a total of 37 new artillery pieces on the Shajiao Fort that were cast in the 15th year of Daoguang's reign (1835). The Guanjun Gate asked the Franji people from Macao to supervise the construction. However, these artillery pieces are not well maintained. At present, There are only 26 that are still usable." Chen Hai replied.

"Test the cannon!" Hong Mingxiang gave the order to test the cannon in a cold voice.

As soon as they heard that the cannon was going to be test-fired, the faces of these artillerymen showed panic.

"There are many merchant ships outside the Pearl River Estuary at Hongjunmen. If we test the cannon rashly, I'm afraid it will hurt the merchant ships passing by." Liu Fang said.

"If you can hit the merchant ship passing by, I will reward you fifty taels of silver!" Hong Mingxiang's face became increasingly ugly.

Seeing Hong Mingxiang's resolute attitude, the Qing soldiers on Shajiao Fort could only bite the bullet and hurriedly test-fire the cannon.

As Chen Hai said, 11 of the 37 cannons failed to fire.

Less than three rounds of test firing, one cannon exploded directly, and two cannons suffered varying degrees of cracking.

As for the accuracy and range, they are even more unsatisfactory.

Due to material and workmanship problems, the quality of the Qing army's artillery was not up to par for a day or two.

For these artillery pieces on the Humen Fort, although Lin Zexu and Guan Tianpei made temporary arrangements and asked the Portuguese in Macau to help cast new artillery pieces.

But the so-called new is only relative to the artillery used by the Qing army itself, and the iron used to cast the cannons is hard and brittle white iron, which is easy to explode.

The method of casting cannons also uses the outdated mud film technology. In this casting process, the molten iron is easily heated unevenly during pouring and is mixed with impurities. Therefore, the quality of the cannon is inevitably reduced and the risk of bombing is increased.

During the Opium War, these coastal defense guns of the Humen Battery exchanged fire with British warships, and unsurprisingly they were at a disadvantage.

At that time, the naval guns used by the British army were all front-loading smoothbore guns. However, the British naval guns were made of green iron with better toughness and were cast by wax mold casting. The quality of the artillery was not a bit better than that of the Qing army.

In addition, the British army has a rich variety of ammunition and the ancestral gunpowder ratio of the Royal Navy of the British Empire. The gunners who operate the guns are all experienced and experienced gunners.

It was expected that the British warships could suppress the Qing troops on the Humen Fort.

This was only twelve years ago. After twelve years of development, the gap between the Qing army and the British army has become wider and wider.

Two of Hong Mingxiang's soldiers pulled up the 2-inch cannon that Pan Zhengwei asked for. This small cannon was said to be a tribute, but in fact it was a naval gun tailor-made by Liang Yao for the Loach class.

The gun adopts a breech-loading rifled design, and the gun sound is not cast as a whole. The inner barrel of the gun is made of steel, and the outside is wrapped with wrought iron. It adopts a vertical air-locked structure breech block.

In front of these silly, big, black and thick muzzle-loading guns on the Shajiao Fort, this 2-inch trot seemed a bit small and thin.

However, the workmanship is actually better than the old cannons on the Shajiao Fort. The cannon body is very smooth and clean, and it looks very comfortable.

On the other hand, the cannons on the Humen Fort were rough and full of potholes. Even the inner wall of the barrel was pitted.

Hong Mingxiang personally picked up a cannonball and stuffed it into the barrel of the Shajiao Fort. There was a gap of nearly half an inch between the cannonball and the barrel, making it impossible to fit together at all.

Such a cannon, such a shell, if it can hit accurately, it would be crazy.

Later, Hong Mingxiang personally test-fired the 2-inch trot. Within three miles, this powerful little cannon could be said to hit anywhere. The range was not even inferior to the old coastal defense guns on the Shajiao Fort, and the rate of fire was even more astonishing. .

"The Western guns are really good."

Xu Guangjin on the side also had to admit this.

He himself also favored this cannon. Northern Guangdong and Guangxi were mountainous, and most of the bandits Xu Guangjin wanted to suppress were also in these mountainous areas. If he could get a few of them and take them into the mountains to suppress bandits, it would be a good choice.

"Lord, I humbly request you to reorganize the Guangdong Navy, eliminate redundant troops, and purchase Western guns to strengthen Guangdong's coastal defense."

Hong Mingxiang said to Xu Guangjin in a sincere tone.

Xu Guangjin looked at the ships from various countries coming and going at the Pearl River Estuary, his face full of helplessness.

How could Xu Guangjin, as the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, not know about the long-standing shortcomings of the Luying Navy in Guangdong Province? There are just some things. Even if he knew about them, Xu Guangjin could not change this situation.

If the Qing Dynasty had sufficient financial resources more than ten years ago, it might have been possible to reorganize the Guangdong Navy, eliminate redundant troops, and purchase new firearms.

As for now, it will be good if we can maintain the status quo. How can we dare to hope that the advantages will be eliminated and the disadvantages will be eliminated.

"Shangshan, you are also an old man from the Guangdong Navy. How could you say such childish words? You may be very light-hearted about eliminating redundant troops and purchasing Western guns, but no matter what you do, you will spend money, a lot of money. . The Guangdong and Guangxi regions cannot get the money you want, and the imperial court will not allocate it.

As for eliminating redundant troops, don’t you think it’s not chaotic enough now? The riots in Changmao and the refugees everywhere are enough to give the governor a headache. Have you ever thought about the consequences of these redundant soldiers losing their livelihood? "

"It's because of the humble position and lack of consideration." Hong Mingxiang was very disappointed with Xu Guangjin's remarks, but he had to admit that this was the current situation in Guangdong and the entire Qing Dynasty.

It was not easy for Xu Guangjin to maintain the situation in Guangdong and Guangxi, but Hong Mingxiang was still unwilling to do so.

"It's not that I don't care about the difficulties of the ministers because I'm in a humble position, it's just that the British are very rampant in Guangdong. The squires of Guangdong have been suffering from the British for a long time, and the people of Guangdong can still use them.

If we could raise some silver to strengthen the defenses of several forts outside Humen to scare the British barbarians, it would be better than doing nothing. I don’t want to be the next Guan Junmen. "

"It's good that you have this intention. I will support the strengthening of coastal defense in Guangdong Province. If you have any ideas, go ahead and do it. As long as you don't create a big trap, I will support you."

Xu Guangjin was stunned at first, and after pondering for a long time, he slowly said.

"Lord Xie Butang!" After hearing Xu Guangjin's statement, Hong Mingxiang was overjoyed. He didn't have much hope that Xu Guangjin would give him substantial support. Xu Guangjin's statement was enough.

Hong Mingxiang walked up to Liu Fang, who was kneeling with numb legs: "Liu Fang, you have neglected your duties. From now on, you are no longer the general manager of Shajiao Ying. Chen Hai will be the general manager of Shajiao Ying."

When Liang Yao returned to Xiangshan again, it was already mid-December 1852. The winter in Xiangshan was slightly warmer than that in Nagasaki.

The accompanying officers and soldiers were stationed at Xiangshan Daying as usual.

Only this time, Liang Yao was not blocked by the Guangdong authorities like last time.

The Guangdong authorities must also know that they cannot stop it even if they want to.

What's more, Liang Yao didn't cause any trouble to these officials in Guangdong last time in Xiangshan. The Guangdong authorities turned a blind eye to Liang Yao's troops stationed in Xiangshan and pretended not to have seen it.

The happiest people were the local residents of Xiangshan when they saw the Citizen soldiers returning carrying the Stars and Stripes.

After all, these soldiers not only do not disturb the people, they are also famous for giving money to buy things. The last time these Citizen soldiers left Xiangshan, the local residents were reluctant to leave.

With the return of these Citizen soldiers, a lively market soon formed around Xiangshan Camp.

The merchants in Guangzhou heard that Liang Yao had returned to Xiangshan, and they rushed from Guangzhou City to Xiangshan Camp to greet Liang Yao.

"This is Pan Shicheng, the current general manager of Thirteen Banks and the helmsman of our Tongfu Bank."

Pan Zhengwei introduced Pan Shicheng to Liang Yao.

"General Shang Pan, I have admired him for a long time. I have long heard that General Shang Pan is a famous person in front of us today, and the holy scroll is in full swing." Liang Yao greeted him with a smile.

"What kind of celebrity? If Prince Gong hadn't come forward to say a few words for us this time, I'm afraid our brothers' heads would have been handed over to Caishikou." Pan Shicheng laughed at himself.

"I think it was Brother Tingyu or Brother Liangyi who said something that shouldn't have been said and made the Holy One unhappy?"

Liang Yao made a random guess.

Pan Shicheng had been immersed in the officialdom of shopping malls for so many years and would not make such stupid mistakes as saying things he shouldn't have said. The problem could only lie with Pan Zhengwei and Wu Yuanhua.

The two of them had stayed in California for a long time and were used to California's customs. If they didn't adapt for a while after returning to the Qing Dynasty, they were still cleaning up.

"The emperor is quite interested in foreign things, but some ministers don't like foreign things." Pan Zhengwei smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Liang, I lost the bet between us. Those things from California are The Qing Dynasty has no place to use it."

"Everyone, please take a seat." Liang Yao motioned for everyone to sit down, and then continued.

"You can't say that. These things will naturally have no use in the capital, but they may not have no use in Guangdong. Hong Junmen is very interested in the guns and cannons equipped by my army.

You all have a deep foundation in Guangdong. The sky is high in Guangdong and the emperor is far away. If you set up a factory in Guangdong, as long as you manage it properly and don't make too much noise, the sky is high and the emperor is far away. Can the emperor still control our Guangdong? "

Liang Yao pointed out a clear way for them. As for whether they dare to do it or not, it depends on whether these Guangzhou merchants have the courage.

Liang Yao's Xiangshan ship repair yard also needs some industrial supporting facilities. Furthermore, most of the coal currently stored in his warehouse in Xiangshan is bought from Hong Kong.

Liang Yao also didn't want to be choked by the British in terms of coal burning. It would be great if Guangzhou Hongshang could open several coal plants in Guangdong to refine coal for burning.

Even if the coal quality is much worse than that of the British, Liang Yao can accept it.

"Speaking of Hongjunmen, Hongjunmen came to me a few days ago and said that they wanted to buy some foreign guns and cannons to strengthen Guangdong's coastal defense and guard against the British. I hope our Wu family can donate some money." Wu Shangrong said.

"If Hongjunmen wants to buy a boat or a gun from me, out of the feelings of compatriots and fellow villagers, Liang is willing to give up the profit and sell it to Hongjunmen at a cheaper price," Liang Yao said.

"If Guangdong's maritime territory is stabilized, it will be good for me and you all. If the British invade Guangdong again and force the Qing Dynasty to cede territory and pay compensation, the compensation will still be shared among you in the end.

Instead of losing all this white money to the British, it would be better to donate some of it to Hong Junmen to buy guns. "

Liang Yao's words are not alarmist. Guangzhou merchants paid a lot of compensation for the two Opium Wars in the form of donations.

Arms has always been a very profitable business, and the profits are no lower than opium.

Liang Yao is also determined to open up the arms foreign trade market. Countries with strong industrial strength such as Britain, France and Germany naturally look down upon the arms produced in California.

The Qing Dynasty is a good choice. If we can open up the Qing Dynasty's arms market before the Westernization Movement and build a good reputation, it will be easier to seize the Qing Dynasty's arms orders in the future.