The Red Mansions

Chapter 786 Bao Qin: Brother Heng, Eat Grapes

Guangzhou City

Just when Jia Heng inspected the Guangdong Navy and dispatched troops, Zhou Zao, the governor of Guangdong who had gone to Zhaoqing for inspection earlier, returned to Fucheng in a low-key manner under the retinue of his entourage.

Governor's yamen, in an elegantly furnished study room in the back hall of the official hall, Zhou Zao changed his official robes and wore an official uniform, sat on a chair behind a desk, picked up a teacup, and fiddled with tea foam with a tureen , this second-class Jinshi of Yimao Division during the Longzhi period, in his early forties, with slender cheeks and a refined manner, asked: "Master Liang, who went to Panyu?"

"Lord Zhongcheng, this Yongning Bo threatened to take back the mirror. He has been inspecting the Yuehai Navy for the past few days, and now the streets and alleys of Guangzhou are full of discussions." The old man with a goatee on the opposite side said with a chuckle.

Zhou Zao chuckled, put down the teacup, and said, "This Uncle Yongning never stops anywhere. The Jiangnan and North camps are not enough for him to toss about. Now he went to Guangdong to light a fire."

According to the latest mansion report, Jiangnan officialdom has been dismissed by imperial envoys from central Beijing because of this Uncle Yongning and the two ministers of the Ministry of War.

Can he do it without hiding?
The old man with the goatee said: "Lord Zhongcheng, once a war starts, the imperial court will definitely pay attention to it. This is also Zhongcheng's opportunity."

"Hey, don't act rashly. Don't seek merit, but seek no fault. If Jia Ziyu likes to make troubles, let him make troubles." Zhou Zao said with a chuckle.

Master Liang reminded: "Lord Zhongcheng, I heard that Liu Xiaoyuan, who participated in the political affairs of the chief envoy, has gone to Panyu."

Hearing Liu Xiaoyuan's name, Zhou Zao looked gloomy and asked, "What's going on? What is he going to Panyu for?"

Master Liang lowered his voice, and said, "Liu Canzheng and Lin Ruhai, Lianghuai Salt Administration, were in the same year, and this Yongning Bo came from Yangzhou. Lord Zhongcheng has to guard against it."

Hearing this, Zhou Zao frowned, with a cold look in his eyes, and said, "What do you mean?"

This Liu Xiaoyuan disagreed with his political views at first, but later he focused on some of his family's business in Guangdong.

"Liu Canzheng insists on opening the sea. Could this trip to Panyu be planning this matter? Or, Liu Canzheng and Mr. Zhongcheng are at odds, will they tell the truth?" Director Liang reminded.

Zhou Zao frowned, and said in a deep voice: "Once the sea ban was lifted, people came and went frequently, and people in Guangzhou were in chaos. This Liu Xiaoyuan said a few years ago that my official went all out to open the sea. Under Yongning Bo's idea, it is really unreasonable!"

This matter is a bit tricky, if the noble Yongning Boss Shuli Chen Kaihai, it may not really cause the center to move the idea of ​​​​opening the sea. At that time, the merchants in Guangdong will do their own thing, and the people will go to the sea to make a living. Management is more inconvenient.

Moreover, if he slanders, it is uncertain whether he, the governor of Guangdong, can continue to work.

Master Liang asked, "What's your plan, Lord Zhongcheng?"

"Let people keep an eye on them, and I will write letters to Mr. Zhao Ge and Mr. Han Ge of the imperial court." Zhou Zao frowned, and said coldly: "It's very good, we must not let him spoil the good situation in Guangdong. .”

On the other side, Jia Heng and Chen Xiao left Panyu, the residence of Yuehai Navy, returned to the post house, came to the back hall study, and the two sat down.

Chen Xiaoqingli's brows became thoughtful, and she said softly: "What you said today, I'm afraid it won't be long before it spreads throughout the city of Guangzhou."

Jia Heng said: "It's better to build momentum first."

Chen Xiaoyu paused, then mentioned another matter, and said: "This morning, there was news from Jinling that the first batch of 200 million taels of silver submitted by Wang Shouqi and the others was sent to the Zhenfu Department of Jinling, Qi Kun I want to send this money to the household department of the capital, so that it can be used for various expenses of the frontier army and officials in the capital."

Jia Heng's expression sank, and he said: "Tell them that the money can only be used when the Ministry of Internal Affairs comes over. Now the new military training in Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps, the purchase of ordnance ships, all need money. Didn't the Ministry of Households just collect it this year?" Qiuliang, why are you so eager to use this money?"

Among the eight major salt merchants in Yangzhou, Cheng Ma, Huang Bao, and four salt merchants copied and inspected the property. There were 5000 to [-] million taels of property. It can be said that this is the foundation of the Dahan salt industry for a hundred years. Fate.

As for the other major salt merchants, they can send part of the money to the treasury of the household department to fight the famine, but this is an opportunity for him to push Lin Ruhai to Beijing, and it is not the time yet.

Lin Ruhai was originally the censor of the Zuoqian capital of the fourth rank, and he returned to Beijing with a high reputation, and his promotion to the household minister was a certainty. At that time, when Yang Guochang stepped down, Qi Kun might be able to fill in the minister, but with his seniority, he would definitely succeed. Without the first assistant or the second assistant, at that time, out of the consideration of balancing the political situation, coupled with the special status of the Ministry of Households, the emperor might find an opportunity to still let the two people from the Ministry of Households join the cabinet.

Chen Xiao put down the teacup, and said in a low voice: "If you don't understand it and give it to the household department, then the household department may have a hard time this year. I guess everyone is counting on this money to make up for the hole."

Jia Heng said: "The owed salt and silver that has been recovered will be sent to the household department. Those corrupt officials will work hard. It is not bad that they will be able to use five or six percent of the money. We should wait a little longer. The money must be used in real terms."

"By the way, there is also the rectification of the frontier army in the spring of this year. It is also a mess. In the northwest, Gansu, Ningxia, Guyuan, Datong, Taiyuan and other military towns, according to the information of Jinyi over there, those generals are in order to keep their positions. The amount has not been reduced, but the actual amount has been replenished, and the soldiers have just been recruited, so the combat power is low." Jia Heng frowned.

The king of Nan'an County and Marquis Baoling didn't want to offend anyone, so they just downsized some soldiers and horses, and then urged the side generals to recruit and replenish the actual amount.

When Chen Xiao heard the words, she looked at Jia Heng with bright eyes, and said in a low voice: "Jurchen is harassing the coast this time. You said earlier that Jurchen wanted to attack east and west, and would do it in Mongolia? Before the end of the year, will there be war in Mongolia?"

Jia Heng said: "Now that there is nothing wrong with Jiangnan, the northern border will not move. If there is no war this year, then next spring, or Jiangnan will start something first. The Jurchen's strategy should be like this."

In fact, when Doduo sent a token to summon the North Korean navy to prepare for revenge, Jurchen had already received news that Duduo had suffered a crushing defeat in the south of the Yangtze River.

The loss of three hundred elites of the Zhengbai Banner shocked the nobles in Houjin, and the original plan to send troops in October was shaken because of this incident, and it was only a part of Khalkha Mongolia, which was originally attached. There was a tendency of instability, and the proposal to mobilize troops was gradually delayed.

Therefore, the entire Han Dynasty, north and south, looked like there was no war in Beiping.

While the two were talking, Xue Baoqin came from the backyard and sat down on a chair not far from Jia Heng, the girl's snow-white face was filled with curiosity, and asked: "Brother Heng, how are you doing? "

Jia Heng looked at Bao Qin warmly, and said softly: "It's nothing, Sister Bao Qin, let Sister Yi Xiao cook something delicious for you later."

At this moment, Jia Heng didn't even realize that at this moment, there is always a feeling of telling your cousin that your sister-in-law can make delicious food for you. The only thing missing is a far-angle shot. The sister-in-law is cooking in the kitchen, and the cousin is in the living room...

Chen Xiao got up at this moment, first glanced at Jia Heng, then at Xue Baoqin, and said in a low voice: "You brothers and sisters talk, I'll cook."

Jia Heng looked at the tall Chen Xiao and said in a low voice, "Well, let's go."

Xue Baoqin sat down at this time and asked: "Brother Heng, will there be a war over there at Haojing?"

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, and said: "I can't say it now, my sister doesn't have to worry, the war won't affect this side."

Xue Baoqin nodded, and said with a sweet smile: "I think if Brother Heng's side ends earlier, we can return to Jinling together."

Jia Heng said: "It's lively in Beijing, your sister Lin and several sisters of the Li family are in Jinling."

Bao Qin smiled and asked: "Brother Heng, I heard from Sister Xiao last night that you came from Jinling? Did you fight the Jurchens in Jinling?"

Jia Heng nodded, and said softly: "A prince of Jurchen contacted a group of pirates. He wanted to disturb the coastal areas in the south of the Yangtze River, so he fought in the land of Haimen."

As he spoke, he told Bao Qin about the previous naval battle, and said, "It's a pity that Duoduo ran away."

The girl was wearing a pink and white long dress, combed her airy bangs, blinked her bright eyes under her curved eyebrows, and listened curiously to Jia Heng's narration.

And a snow-white arm like a lotus root is supported on the small table, the skin is white and greasy like frost, and a chubby hand with a red string hanging on it is holding a pink face. The color of yearning, listening attentively, even the coral red earrings on the earlobe did not move.

It seems to be imagining the scene of a two-party battle, but unfortunately I have never seen it.

After Jia Heng narrated the battle, he looked at the young girl with a plump and lovely face, and said softly: "Sister Baoqin, on the way back just now, I asked someone to go to the inn to ask. Uncle's body is getting better, and I think he will be gone in a few days." Great, let's go back to Jinling together when the time comes."

Baoqin nodded, sighed and said, "Daddy has traveled all over the world these years, and his body is healthier than the rest of us. He is also tired from the trip."

Jia Heng said with emotion: "Going to sea is indeed hard work. My sister has been to many places over the years, and her knowledge should have increased."

Bao Qin chuckled and said, "I met a lot of interesting people. These barbarians have hair of various colors, and blue eyes."

Jia Heng smiled and said, "When you are free, how about sister Baoqin and me?"

"Okay." Baoqin happily responded with a smile on her cheeks resembling Baochai, and her pink and snowy face was rosy.

While the two of them were talking, they saw Chen Xiao ordering a few nuns to enter the back hall with food, and said softly, "Come and eat."

Jia Heng smiled and said: "Okay, let's stop talking, let's go eat."

Looking at Baoqin always reminded him of Baochai, and he didn't know how Baochai was doing in Beijing.

Bao Qin nodded with a smile, and the two of them sat down around the table and started eating.

……

……

Time flies, and before you know it, another three days have passed.

In the past few days, Jia Heng frequently inspected the Guangdong Navy during the day, actively preparing for the battle, and mobilized infantry from other prefectures and counties, as if preparing for the battle.

As the Guangdong Marine Division began to cut off the entrance and exit of Haojing in several groups, a large number of infantry set up a barricade at the Xiangshan Gate to block the daily supplies delivered to Haojing from the outside, which suddenly made the Portuguese in Haojing panic.

On this day, Jia Heng returned to the post house from the station of the Guangdong Navy. Just after he sat down, Fan Wei came to report to Hao Jing. waiting.

"Little Li Han, I have met Uncle Yongning." Mr. Li bowed respectfully to the young man in the python suit, his small eyes shone with shrewdness.

Jia Heng looked calm, looked at the old man opposite, and asked, "Did Bujialu send you here?"

Mr. Li smiled and said: "Sir Boojalu received Yongningbo's request for negotiation last time, and he can agree in principle, but regarding the dispatch of officials to manage Haojing and the disbanding of the army, I hope to negotiate with Yongningbo again."

After the persuasion of this Mr. Li, the Australian Governor Bujialu has decided to have a good talk with Jia Heng. Except whether the army is disbanded, there are still several other issues that can be negotiated.

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "I have already mentioned the conditions for the renewal of the lease last time, so I won't repeat it. As far as the garrison is concerned, the Haojing army must be disbanded. No country will tolerate the presence of other countries on its own land." This is the bottom line of our negotiations!"

When Mr. Li heard this, his heart was slightly trembling, but with a smile on his face, he said cautiously: "Uncle Yongning, we can make up for the rent arrears over the years, but the disbandment of the army is really unacceptable, and we Fang has set up an autonomous committee to manage the local people, if Guangdong sends officials again, there will be language barriers and communication barriers, I am afraid it will be inconvenient to manage, will it be managed jointly by both parties?"

Jia Heng said: "Haojing was originally the land of my great man. The army must be disbanded. Either after a battle, there will be no more Hongyi in Haojing, or the Hongyi will disband the army. As for sending officials to manage, this is still our right to govern. The self-governing committee established by the Portuguese can serve as a non-governmental organization to mediate disputes involving the nationals of the country, which is already our biggest concession.”

According to the principle of territorial jurisdiction, even criminal disputes involving nationals on the land of other countries should be handled by the local government.

As for whether the Portuguese would accept it or not, in the parallel time and space of the Ming Dynasty, the Portuguese almost refused to accept any request from the Ming Dynasty. Now it is clear that the big man has ignored them for decades and is starting to make progress.

The smile on Mr. Li's face remained undiminished, and he said: "Uncle Yongning, with the combat power of the Guangdong Navy, if there is a real fight, the casualties of the Guangdong Navy will not be small, and it will be difficult for Yongning Bo to explain to the court, right? "

Jia Heng sneered, and said: "I don't need you, a person who has forgotten his ancestors, to worry about how I will explain to the court."

With a deep voice, he shouted: "Even if there are casualties in the fight to defend the territory of the Great Han, as long as the Haojing is taken back, the price of casualties is acceptable. On the other hand, Hongyi, if there is a war with the imperial court, I promise to take back the Haojing. After the land, there will be no more Hong Yi!"

Mr. Li's expression changed suddenly, his heart trembled, and he said, "I will convey the meaning of Uncle Yongning to Sir."

Jia Heng looked up at Li Shu and said, "Send Mr. Li back."

When Li Han left, Chen Xiao thought in his eyes, and asked, "Will Bujialu agree to your conditions?"

"Whether you agree or not, you can't change Hao Jing's ending." Jia Heng looked into the distance and said softly, "But I think if Bujialu is not an impulsive and reckless man, he should agree."

With the assembly of the Guangdong Navy, it can actually be seen that the Han army has not been corrupted to the point where it can't even hold a mirror. It is nothing more than a matter of the cost of casualties.

And now it is putting extreme pressure on Hao Jing.

Hao Mirror, the official residence of the Governor of Australia

After listening to what Mr. Li said, Bujialu's face was gloomy and watery, and he was speechless for a long time.

war?This decision is not easy to make.

The country of Han has a vast land and resources, even if it fails for a while, it will gather a larger number of troops to attack, and things will not end well at that time.

Mr. Li sighed and reminded: "Governor, the soldiers and horses sent by Yongningbo to the Yuehai Navy have surrounded the entire Haojing and blocked all sea routes. Once there is a fight, we will be alone and helpless."

Carlos said angrily: "Sir, Han Guo is bullying people too much, we can destroy them!"

Bujialu waved his hand, frowned, and whispered: "Don't be impulsive."

As he spoke, he paced towards the courtyard with worry on his face.

He wanted to hold on to this piece of land and wait for the opportunity to make this place the bridgehead of the Far East mainland, not to lose this bridgehead.

Mr. Li reminded: "Sir, Bo Yongning cannot stay in Guangdong forever. After he leaves, we still have the possibility of bribing Guangdong officials and rebuilding the army. A small amount of patience will lead to great chaos."

At the beginning, they bribed Guangdong officials to stay here and gradually develop and grow.

Bujalu's face was gloomy, and while Carlos was waiting anxiously, he pondered: "It is not appropriate to launch a war now, as Mr. Li said, even if the army is disbanded now, we will have manpower and guns in the future, and we can reorganize. Once the war starts, even if the invading Han army is defeated, it will only cause the Han army to retaliate more violently."

Mr. Li said in a low voice: "If Sir wants peace talks, then we can try to keep the guards of the governor's mansion as we discussed the day before yesterday, and at the same time organize the relevant troops into ship guards and disperse them among the ships on the voyage. Go, avoid the limelight, and rebuild the army."

In his view, as long as there are guns and guns, there is still a chance to make a comeback when Han's management of Haojing is relaxed.

Carlos said anxiously: "The Han people will definitely send someone to watch. Sir, you can't listen to this Han countryman. It's impossible for him to collude with Han officials to deceive Sir."

Bujialu glared at Carlos fiercely, and said solemnly, "Don't be rude to Mr. Li."

Mr. Li said: "At that time, it was still possible to bribe the officials of the Han Dynasty. They were all greedy wolves."

Hearing this, Bujialu nodded, made up his mind, looked at Mr. Li aggressively, and said, "Mr. Li, you accompany me to Panyu in person, and meet with the Earl of Han to discuss the terms and conditions of the lease agreement." .”

When Carlos heard this, he said anxiously: "Sir, if the despicable and shameless Chinese detain Sir and launch a surprise attack, then it will be a disaster for Hao Jing."

In fact, in the parallel time and space of the Ming Dynasty, in the wars between the Ming army and the Portuguese, they basically launched sneak attacks without emphasizing martial arts, and this matter was recorded in historical materials.

"There is a saying in the Han Dynasty that the two countries are fighting against each other. If the Han Dynasty really does that, then the war will be inevitable." Bujialu said coldly, with a more determined look on his face.

Mr. Li saluted and said, "Sir, then I will inform Uncle Yongning of the Han Kingdom to discuss matters."

Sir Boogaroo nodded, then came to the window, looked at the lush forest in the distance, and fell into deep thought.

After Mr. Li left, Carlos persuaded, "Sir, this is a risky decision."

"We came here for the sake of taking risks." Bujialu looked at Carlos and said, "If we start a war, even if we win one, it will cause Han's revenge later, and we will lose Hao Jing."

When Carlos heard this, a cold look flashed in his eyes, and he said nothing more.

Since Jazz insisted on choosing the cunning and despicable Han people, he can't be blamed.

In Carlos's deep eyes, a plump figure with an embossed figure was vaguely reflected, and a fire surged in his heart.

Soon, Jia Heng received a special envoy sent by Sir Boogaroo, sending a message to go to Panyu to meet him.

Being in Panyu instead of Haojing naturally showed the goodwill of Bujialu.

In the post house——

After listening to Jinyi Mansion Guard's report, Chen Xiao frowned, thinking on her crystal clear face, and said in a low voice: "Is this Bujialu ready to agree to your conditions?"

Jia Heng thought for a moment, then said with dark eyes: "Since Hongyi wants to occupy Haojing, they don't want to conflict with our country. In fact, as long as our country continues to take care of internal affairs like the Liaodong War, they will be able to do so in a short time." Continue to occupy Haojing as before."

In fact, two-handed preparations have been made before the war. If the war starts, the Haojing will be taken back by force. If the Haojing compromises, then more conditions will be sought, and then the problem of the Haojing will be completely resolved after one or two years.

These people thought that the scarce attention of the imperial court would not always be drawn by Hao Jing. According to the parallel time and space, it was indeed the case. From the time when the Qing army entered the customs at the end of Ming Dynasty, for a long time, the Qing government had no time to pay attention to Hao Jing. Hongyi.

But he is different. Later, he will use Haojing as a window to observe the changes in the West.

At this moment, Xue Baoqin walked to the study with a plate of washed grapes. Under Cuiyu's beautiful eyebrows, her crystal clear eyes gleamed, and she said pleasantly, "Brother Heng, that Sir Boogaroo is coming?"

Jia Heng looked at the innocent girl and said with a light smile, "I can't do without Sister Xue's translation later."

Baoqin said "um", sat down, took a bunch of grapes, passed them over, and said with a light smile on her pink face, "Brother Heng, eat grapes."

Jia Heng took a bunch of grapes and nodded.

(End of this chapter)