The Red Mansions

Chapter 782 Jia Heng: From the Xue family?Which Xue family?

Jia Heng sent off Guangdong General Wu Shou, returned to the back hall, and continued to browse through the resume files of relevant officials in Guangdong.

The resumes of the officials of the two divisions of the Guangdong Bureau, according to the regular system of not being supervisors in other places, are all officials from other provinces.

After that, the detectives of the Jinyi Mansion recorded the words, deeds and official voices of some officials, which were quite satisfactory.

However, Wu Tao, the general of the Guangdong Navy, is still an honest man. Maybe he knew to hide it, but he couldn't hide it. What he said is basically true. With a coastline of hundreds of miles, it is inevitable that it will be stretched.

but--

"The Wu family traded with the countries in Southeast Asia through naval ships, and the generals of the navy participated in the profit." Jia Heng glanced at the recorded text on it, raised his eyes to the sky outside, and whispered: "The military is doing business. , Armed smuggling."

This is the secret record of the Jinyi Mansion. As the eyes and ears of the imperial court, the Jinyi Detective is only responsible for recording, archiving and sealing. Only particularly bad words and deeds will be reported to the central government in a timely manner. Of course, whether to report it also depends on the Jinyi Mansion. The relationship between the general and local officials.

The Jinyi Mansion is not a yamen that is insulated from the local government, the higher the mountain and the farther the emperor is, the more so.

Jia Heng looked at Jiao Ke, who was standing respectfully in brocade clothes, and asked, "Jiao Qianhu, what is the reputation of the Wu family in Guangzhou? Have any of the children of the family committed any crimes in Guangzhou?"

Jiao Qianhu cupped his hands and said: "Return to the governor, Wu's family was originally a famous family in the center of Guangzhou, no one dared to offend, most of the children in the family are doing sea trade business with Southeast Asian countries, they pay attention to making money by harmony, but they didn't hear it. Cause something outrageous and resentful."

Hearing this, Jia Heng's eyes were gloomy, and a thoughtful look appeared on his face.

He also just asked a few simple questions. As for using this to attack the officialdom in Guangdong, this trip... should not be extravagant.

He never thought that he could shake the foundation of the local military and political officials just by bringing two hundred tyrants to Guangzhou, and the purpose of his coming here was not to change the political ecology of Guangdong.

When the water is clear, there are no fish.

As long as Guangdong's military and political circles actively cooperate with him to solve the Haojing problem, and then introduce some firearm technology, then it is not appropriate to create extra problems for the time being.

"In the land of Haojing, are there any guards from the Jinyi Mansion lingering to watch?" Jia Heng pondered for a moment, looked at Jiao Ke aggressively, and asked.

Jiao Ke said in a low voice: "There are some eyeliners arranged, but not much. After Zhao Qianhu from Nanzhen Fusi led people to Haojing, the detectives helped collect information and responded, and found some for Hongyi of Haojing. .”

Jia Heng nodded, and pondered: "Send some more people to keep an eye on Hong Yi."

The cronies of the Australian governor Bujialu in the Land of Mirrors must be Hong Yi. Of course, it is not accurate to say Hong Yi, because the hair of the Portuguese is not all red. The Dutch and Portuguese are collectively referred to as Hongyi, without distinction, and the latter are also known as Frangji.

Thinking of this, Jia Heng waved his hand to let Jiao Ke leave, and looked at Chen Ling who was not far away. The girl had just taken a bath, her hair was tied around her waist with a green rope, and she didn't know where she got it from. A plate of crystal clear grapes, after washing, still has water droplets on it.

"Xiaoxiao, are there any members of the White Lotus Sect in Hao Jing?" Jia Heng put down the book in his hand, looked at Chen Xiao with a slight smile, and asked.

Chen Xiaoyu's face was cold, and she simply said one word: "Yes."

Then, the girl picked up a plate of juicy grapes and put them on the small table, took a bite, peeled it lightly, and put it in her mouth.

Jia Heng looked at the girl who was moving slowly, and said softly: "See if I can get someone to help deliver the news, and observe the movement of the Hongyi Navy, as well as the composition and deployment of its troops."

According to Fang Jun, the former commander of the Guangdong Metropolis, Hongyi only had [-] sailors, but when it came to war, the governor of Australia might recruit some fishermen and pirates from Haojing to fill the navy.

Chen Xiao nodded and said, "I'll ask someone to keep an eye on you."

The girl said, sitting aside, frowned and said: "When you arrive in Guangzhou, Hongyi should have received the news."

Jia Heng pondered, "I'll just sit on the Diaoyutai now and wait for them to send envoys over."

In any case, the Han people are numerous and powerful, and they also have geographical advantages. Neither Portugal nor the Netherlands can continue to fight in foreign countries thousands of miles away from their own countries.

"You have to be careful, the persecution is too much, they will join forces with Duoduo again, and then they will sell the red barbarian cannon and firearms crafts to Jurchen, and the whole Fujian and Guangdong will never have peace." Chen Xiao reminded.

Jia Heng picked up a grape and put it in his mouth, the sour and sweet juice overflowed from his mouth, and said softly: "No, I have my sense of proportion, besides, the Jurchens are still in the north, and they can't quench their thirst if they are far away. For current affairs, you can only choose to cooperate with my big man."

Chen Xiao sat down, peeled the grapes, and said softly, "Then what do you plan to do with the rented mirror?"

Jia Heng glanced at the slender catkins with broken grapes in plain hands, and said: "The lease can be renewed, and it is still signed every 15 years, but the money owed in the past 30 to [-] years should be returned to the court, and of course the money can also be used. Convert them into Hongyi cannons and firecrackers to pay back."

Since Emperor Taizong of the Chen Han Dynasty leased Haojing to the Portuguese, Portugal has sent governors and guards to manage the country's nationals and resist the Dutch invasion.

Of course, according to the lease contract established by the Taizong Dynasty, Portugal needs to pay 5 taels of silver to the Chief Secretary of Guangdong every year as rent, which is not too much or too little.

However, in recent years, after Portugal defeated the invading Dutch during the Longzhi period, it took the money away on the grounds that the lease contract had not been renewed. After the defeat of Chen Han and Liaodong, internal political turmoil continued In 20 years, local officials in Guangdong were afraid of causing a war. They dared not speak out.

The Mirror, the Governor's Mansion
On the afternoon of the second day when Jia Heng came to Guangzhou Mansion, at this moment, behind the mansion was a garden and a building surrounded by white railings and stone pillars.

Aodu Bujialu is in his early forties, tall and tall, with curly light red hair, a hooked nose, high browbones, deep-set eye sockets and deep eyes.

The Governor has served as the Governor of Australia for five years, and is quite trusted by the king of the Portuguese Braganza Dynasty. Next to him is his wife Haili, a woman in her 30s, with a plump figure, a soft and quiet oval face, and a high bridge of nose. Pretty, with flaming red lips, wearing a lily-colored dress, with an exquisitely embroidered skirt, like a plump full moon ready to tear apart.

The youngest daughter Nona on the side is about thirteen or fourteen years old, with a melon-shaped face, fair skin, a straight nose bridge, and slightly thin pink lips. Because she has a quarter of Nordic blood, the deep eye sockets under the curved eyelashes It was a pair of sapphire blue eyes, watery and sparkling.

A family of three is drinking coffee and enjoying the quiet afternoon time. The waiter not far away seems to be playing the drum flute, and the melodious and melodious tunes are floating in the air, cheerful and comfortable.

At this moment, a young man with short chestnut hair and wearing a military uniform went to the garden, saluted, handed over a letter, and said: "Your Honor, this is a secret message from the officials of the Governor's Yamen in Guangzhou." letter."

Bujialu put down the coffee in his hand, turned his head away, stared sharply at the young man who was also the head of the guard, and asked, "What did you say in the letter?"

This Australian governor was born in a Portuguese nobleman and stayed in Haojing for several years. He actually knows a lot about Chinese culture and can speak fluent Chinese.

"Jia Heng, Earl of the Han Dynasty, has arrived in Guangzhou, and said that local officials in Guangzhou are required to train sailors and be ready for war at all times." The young man mumbled Jia Heng's name and narrated the content of the letter.

Bujialu frowned, and said in a low voice: "The two Han officials in the post house, don't they want to buy cannons and muskets from us? Are they using the purchased cannons to fight us?"

Not far away, Hai Li listened to her husband's discussion, her deep eyes were full of thought.

Nuona also put down the music score in her hand, and looked at her father with blue eyes like Wang Qingquan.

"Sir, this may be the Han people showing off their strength." The young man stood up, his eyes shining like stars.

Bujialu nodded, and said coldly: "This time is an opportunity to renew the contract. I want to turn this place into a bridgehead for our country in Han!"

The head guard nodded heavily.

Bujialu thought for a while, and ordered: "Go to Guangzhou City, just say that I want to meet the Earl of Han Guo in Haojing."

And when Bujia Road ordered the chief guard to go to Guangzhou City, he was in an inn opened by a Han in Haojing.

Jinyi Nanzhen Fusi Jinyi Qianhu Zhao Yi entered the wing room and looked at Xu Tingye, the supervisor of the military supervisor who was sitting on the table under the window and was concentrating on studying the firearms.

"Old Xu, it's time to eat." Zhao Yi smiled, and from the food box, placed the plates of several dishes on the table, and said with emotion: "It's not easy to get these dishes, let the brothers run away A few streets."

Xu Tingye put down the firearm in his hand, seeing the light of admiration in his eyes, he stroked the firearm over and over again, and said: "The firearms of the Hongyi people are indeed unique. Look, the barrel of this gun is as smooth as a woman's hand. Different."

Zhao Yi's face darkened, and he couldn't help laughing and said, "Old Xu, what kind of analogy are you talking about? It's been a long time since you've been out, do you miss a woman?"

The two came to Haojing after more than half a year from Shenjing City, and they have gradually become acquainted with each other, and they usually joke a little bit.

Xu Tingye sighed, and said with emotion: "Back then, my Dahan Shenji Battalion took the method from Hongyi and built Fran cannons and other firecrackers. After a hundred years later, they have ignited matchlocks and replaced them with flints. This kind of gun barrel is not easy to cast, and there are also bullets, which are also not easy to manufacture in large quantities."

At the end of the Ming Dynasty, firearms research expert Bi Maokang produced flintlock guns. It is now the 15th year of Chongping, that is, in the middle of the seventeenth century, and flintlock guns have been widely assembled in the French army.

And this firearm was also equipped with some for the Portuguese.

Zhao Yi picked up the chopsticks and asked curiously, "Can my country of Han make this kind of firecracker?"

Xu Tingye shook his head, and said: "Bullets are actually easy to talk about, but the craftsman's skill in gun barrels is different from those who are not familiar with them, so it is difficult to form a certain craftsmanship of gun barrels. Even ordinary Lumi guns and bird guns, the barrels often burst. worries."

This is the shortcoming of firearms in this era, and the combat is not stable enough. Even in the Qing Dynasty, firearms were also used as a supplement to bow shooting.

Zhao Yi said: "I am a big country, but I can't even make a gun barrel well?"

Xu Tingye sighed, but did not speak.

On the other side, after Jia Heng had a short rest at the Qianhu Office of Jinyi Mansion in Guangzhou, he followed Guangdong General Wu Tao to Weigang, Panyu, where the Guangdong Navy was located.

A water fortress was built here, and the boat sailors moored in the entire port of the water village. Jia Heng inspected the boat sailors and the infantry stationed in the village along the way, and met all the generals.

Wu Tao, General of Guangdong Sea, said: "Uncle Yongning, the navy is a bit more difficult now. There are about 5000 sailors, and not all of them are in Hong Kong."

Jia Heng glanced at Wu Tao and thought, these boat sailors are helping your Wu family and wealthy businessmen in Guangzhou to do smuggling business, right?
"He's in good spirits, but I don't know how well he's going to fight after being equipped with ordnance," Jia Heng said.

Wu Tao said: "To tell you the truth, apart from some pirates wreaking havoc on Guangdong Sea, there has never been a major battle."

Jia Heng's face was like black water, noncommittal, and asked: "It's noon, let's go to the county seat first."

Wu Tao, General of Guangdong Sea, heaved a sigh of relief when he heard the words, and then led a large number of officials to surround Jia Heng to Panyu County.

As soon as I entered the county seat, passing a row of government offices built on the back of the port, I suddenly heard a noise not far away.

"Why are you detaining our cargo ship?" A middle-aged man in charge, accompanied by several young servants, called out loudly.

"The imperial court strictly investigates smuggling. All ships that enter the country are entrained and detained together with the cargo ship. I didn't tell you. How can you return it?" The clerk lowered his voice, ordered a few servants, and scolded: "Go back quickly!" .”

"Please tell us clearly which law stipulates that a big man cannot bring gifts back from overseas." It was a young girl's voice, with a bit of natural sweetness in it.

"This is the imperial edict issued in the 29th year of Longzhi. This is what the imperial court stipulated. Either you pay 500 taels of silver to redeem the ship, or confiscate all the ships and goods. Go, go." The scribe saw some brocade clothes and generals in the distance They came in a crowd, panicked for a moment, and said to the guards who were confronting each other: "Hurry up and drive them away."

Previously, the Master Registrar mentioned that a big man in the capital was going to inspect the coastal defense camp recently, and the navy generals, soldiers and port officials should not cause trouble.

However, Jia Heng looked at Wu Tao expressionlessly, and immediately said to Chen Xiao, who was wearing a flying fish suit with an embroidered spring knife on his waist, "Go and have a look."

Chen Ling nodded, and quickly walked towards the girl who was arguing, asking about the situation.

The girl's cheeks were as white as a pear pistil, her eyebrows were picturesque, her red lips were like rose petals, her eyebrows and eyes were somewhat similar to Baochai, she didn't have any exotic features, but her complexion was white and greasy, and she was slightly fat, so she looked like a big girl No. porcelain doll.

Xue Baoqin and Ning Bo, the steward of her own family, asked the scribes: "How can we be regarded as entrainment? They are all old things for relatives. They are not many in the first place, and they are not sold for profit. How can they be treated as smuggling?"

The clerk was clearly an officer in charge of anti-smuggling from the Guangdong Navy. Seeing the girl's reluctance, he threatened, "That's not okay, this is the imperial court's regulation! It's useless for you to tell me these things, hurry up, and wait a while." The adults are here, and you will be punished for the crime of smuggling and trading."

Xue Baoqin frowned slightly, with annoyance in her soft starry eyes, she said: "You guys are still being unreasonable."

This young girl followed her father to travel around the South Seas since she was a child, and she has a generous and generous disposition. Now she is arguing with the scribe, not as shy as a woman from the Central Plains.

Here, Wu Tao saw that Jia Heng's face was not very good-looking, cursed inwardly, and said to one of the accompanying generals: "What's going on? Go and have a look."

Actually, Wu Tao didn't know either, otherwise, based on the relationship between Wu's family and Jia's family, if he knew that this was the cargo ship of Xue's family, one of Jia Shiwang Xue's four major families, he would have let people release the ship.

After a while, Chen Xiao went back and forth, his eyes were clear and bright, and he said, "I just asked, he is from the Xue family."

Jia Heng frowned, with doubts in his eyes, and asked, "A member of the Xue family? Which Xue family?"

"It's that Xue's family in Jinling. Now they have gone to the capital and live in Rongguo Mansion." Chen Xiao replied with cold eyes.

Suddenly a light flashed in Jia Heng's heart, and he said to himself, "It's really Xue's family."

Could it be Xue Baoqin and his father, the two of them can be said to have traveled to various countries in Southeast Asia.

As he said that, he walked away quickly, only to see a girl and a few guys gathered together, her white and snowy face pouted angrily, looking angrily at the clerk not far away.

At this time, the scribe's expression paused slightly, and he looked at the few big figures surrounded not far away, his expression changed suddenly, and then he was startled.

"I've seen my lord in a humble position." The scribe led a few Lingshi, hurried forward, and saluted General Wu Tao of Guangdong Sea.

Wu Tao's face was as gloomy as ice, and he asked, "What's going on?"

The scribe's heart tightened, and he said: "My lord, our naval patrol boats are patrolling Haikou, boarding and inspecting passenger ships, and seized the fragrant goods brought by the docked ships."

"Nonsense!" Wu Tao yelled heavily, with evil eyes in his eyes.

What time is this? A few days ago, he even told his face, and said several times, it’s not easy to do anything lately, there are important people in Beijing going south to inspect, do these people have donkey hair stuffed in their ears?

The clerk trembled when he heard the words, cold sweat broke out on his back, and he said in a trembling voice: "My lord, I..."

"Quickly release the cargo ship." Wu Tao said coldly.

Jia Heng looked indifferent, and asked: "General Wu, what's going on with the boat and navy patrolling the boat to seize smuggling?"

With a smile on Wu Tao's chubby face, he said: "Uncle Yongning doesn't know something. This is according to the edict of the 29th year of Longzhi. Passenger ships from Guangdong and other places are not allowed to bring fragrant goods from Nanyang countries. , and in serious cases detain the cargo ship."

Jia Heng frowned, and asked: "Since the Emperor Taizong's reign, the central government has issued many edicts regarding the ban on commerce and trade in the sea. It was proposed that passenger ships can sail unimpeded in Nanyang and Guangdong Sea. At that time, the imperial edict allowed it. At that time, there was no mention of carrying a small amount of fragrant goods, which was treated as smuggling. What anti-smuggling order is the Guangdong Navy now entrusting?"

Since he intends to open up seas to promote business, he has previously studied Chen Han's edicts from the Taizong, Longzhi, and Chongping dynasties. Cargo ships are not the same as passenger ships. The latter is because Chen Han has cultural exchanges with Nanyang countries.

Those civil servants called it "education with Chinese etiquette".

Wu Tao pondered for a moment, then said, "This..."

Jia Hengdao: "Since Chongping, the imperial government has never said that the sea ban can be used as a ransom guarantee after the cargo ship is banned. There are often some officers and soldiers in the division who blackmail passing passenger ships with this, General Wu, with such bad rules, there is no order to follow, and it also corrupts military discipline, I really don’t know what to do with the Guangdong side?"

Apart from the tributary system in Southeast Asia, in order to win over allies, Chen Han still did not prohibit the ferry travel of monks and tourists, but he still banned smuggling in a somewhat secretive way.

The imperial orders in different periods were chaotic and deformed, and the government orders were complicated, and the Guangdong governor's office also issued related orders, which made people feel at a loss, and Yuehai was clearly waiting for an opportunity to blackmail.

Moreover, the General of Guangdong and the local gentry and high-level officials in Guangdong, in addition to paying tribute, also engaged in maritime trade business, evading city taxes from it.

Some officials even reported to the court: "There are many islands and reefs in the sea area of ​​Guangdong, and people who live near the sea often secretly trade fragrant goods in order to lure barbarians into robbers."

In other words, this outdated sea ban just gave convenience to some gentry, because they don’t have to pay taxes, and local gentry families in Guangdong have their own smuggling channels, so the Guangzhou Ship Lifting Department was gradually abolished, and the country was lost instead. tax silver.

In fact, it is not uncommon for insightful people in the DPRK and China to notice that the sea ban is sometimes loosened for a period of time, but it has not formed a long-term effect of the policy.

(End of this chapter)