Anti-Qing: I'm actually an honest person

Chapter 174

Meiling, as the boundary between Jiangxi and Guangdong, has been a key gateway since ancient times, also known as Dayuling, because Zhang Jiuling once planted plums here, so it got its name.

The name Dayuling comes from the fact that Yu Sheng, the general of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, built a fortress here. This fortress, together with Meiguan and Hengpu Pass, is called Meiling Sanguan. In terms of military position, it should be extremely important.

But to be honest, no matter how great the war in the Central Plains has been in history, when the war raged to the Meiling generation, basically the world would be unified, and most of the time the regime that separated Guangdong would surrender, so in fact, the Although the mountains and rivers are dangerous and the terrain is critical, there are very few major battles fought here. Most of them are fighting against Lingnan, fighting a rebellion or something.

So the so-called three Meiling Passes are actually more like a commercial road card that collects taxes from business travelers in the past. If you really want to talk about wars, even the Meiling Pass is an old pass more than 1000 years ago.

This checkpoint is indeed a bit tasteless, with basically no military defense capabilities. When Labu sent troops to fight, Feng Zhenhai actually sent infantry out of the city and formed an array to resist.

But this geographical location is indeed very important. The fighting power of the Ming army is inseparable from the huge logistics supplies. Even if the food and grass can be collected on the spot, if there is a big battle and the intensity of the war increases, gunpowder will never be possible. Solicit on the spot?In particular, almost all of their four towns in Haifeng have been replaced with new-style artillery, and they must use new-style gunpowder, which is a shame.

Therefore, in the state of lack of cavalry, if they advance all the way to the north, Labu will retreat all the way to avoid the edge. After they have gone far, they will send elite soldiers to bypass these two-legged infantry, and the attack will last for a long time. What should they do if the three passes of Meiling, which are in disrepair, have completely blocked their supply line from the south?
If this is the case, if they can't take down Ganzhou City and occupy the Ganjiang waterway, Liu Dapao can't do it even if he wants to provide support regardless of the cost. Let Labu rub it round and pinch it?
The Guangdong green battalion led by Jin Guangzu and Liu Bingquan is nothing more than that. The four towns of Haifeng are the foundation of the entire Ming Dynasty. It was inevitable.

Anyway, Li Chenggong, Liu Yinglin, and Niu Dabiao all persuaded them in this way, and Feng Zhenhai didn't understand. Anyway, those three people used this as an excuse to refuse to send troops, knowing that this was probably the excuse of the three generals who didn't want to go out of the city to fight to the death. words, but Feng Zhenhai has nothing to do, and he is indeed worried about gains and losses.

But no matter how you say it, there is indeed some truth to what he said. Liu Dapao is not even good at criticizing the three war-fearing people because of this. It's like fighting chicken blood, in order to fight for the vanguard position, I can't wait to stage a full martial arts in front of Liu Dapao, and fight on the spot, as if La Bu outside the pass is not leading the Eight Banners Heavenly Soldiers at all, but a group of native chickens Like a tile dog.

Seeing Feng Zhenhai's face was full of bitterness, but he couldn't understand why there was such a big difference between the three products.

Isn't this giving me eye drops?
Liu Dapao, on the grounds that he was exhausted from the march, simply ordered the soldiers of the three armies to take a good rest first, and then discuss with the generals the strategy of defeating the enemy tomorrow.

That night, Liu Dapao first called Jin Guangzu and Liu Bingquan to his room to discuss some countermeasures, but the three of them couldn't help sighing in their hearts at this time, place, situation, and situation. It's over.

Back then, when Liu Dapao first came to Chaozhou, he was still a small magistrate. These two people were his immediate bosses, and he would even kneel down to salute them when they met. Everything is turned upside down.

Even though Liu Dapao has repeatedly emphasized that he does not like others to bow down to him, and has repeatedly emphasized the so-called calm personality among shareholders, the two of them are different from others after all. If a person of authority really doesn't kneel, will it make people feel that this is shameless, or that he is really disrespectful to Liu Dapao?
So it was a good meal of kneeling and worship, and Liu Dapao was a good meal of persuasion, and the ink was smeared for a long time.

"You two are acquaintances. I, Liu Dapao, am not a narrow-minded person. Let the past be over. Otherwise, you will be embarrassed, and I will only be embarrassed. Anyway, everyone is on the same boat now. Comrade, just this one time, don't take this as an example, next time you see me, don't make such fake things, it will only make me appear more stingy."

As he spoke, he personally poured a cup of dark brown drink to the two of them and said, "Taste it, do you still have the habit of drinking this thing?"

After the two drank it, they were all taken aback: "This product tastes sweet and bitter. It's really strange, but it also has a different flavor. It's strange. It's really strange."

Liu Dapao smiled and handed out cigars to the two of them while saying: "This thing is called cocoa, a peculiar plant that originated in America and is also abundant in Africa. Take the fruit core and discard the pulp, and dry it in the sun and dry it." , grinding and other processes, it is already quite a popular drink in Europe, come, try this again, this is called chocolate, and it is also a kind of candy made of cocoa, take a look, eat Are you used to it?"

The two didn't know why, so they ate a piece each, and couldn't help but light up their eyes for a moment, and said honestly: "This thing is really magical, it tastes extremely sweet, and it is soft and delicious, and the articulate fragrance remains. There is a hint of bitterness in the aftertaste, as a dessert, indeed, it is an excellent top grade."

Liu Dapao smiled and said: "This is barely my unique technology, but the cost of producing chocolate is a bit ridiculous given the current social productivity, and the hot weather in our Guangdong area is not conducive to the preservation of chocolate. I really haven't been able to make up my mind to produce this thing, do you two think that this chocolate and cocoa powder drink will have a good market in China?"

Jin and Liu didn't understand why for a while, and they were even more confused.

Didn't you say that you want to discuss military strategy with us?
With the enemy at hand, why are we still talking about cocoa and chocolate?
Even in the officialdom, everyone is used to chatting a little casually or politely before talking about serious things, but you are too far away, right?
Nowhere is next to each other.

"Returning to the prime minister, this drink is really magical and has a unique flavor, and after drinking it, I feel better mentally. I think at least children will like to drink this drink."

"Yeah, Prime Minister, I have eaten and seen it before I asked myself, but this chocolate, but among the desserts I have eaten, there are not many that can compare with this chocolate. As for making it difficult and expensive, I think it is too expensive." But don’t worry, as the saying goes, no matter how expensive it is, someone will definitely buy it.”

"Oh~, are you two so confident about this thing?"

"Naturally, congratulations Prime Minister, this is another source of income for the Ming court."

"Ah, as long as you two like it, to be honest, I intend to give this cocoa powder to you two. This source of income is not my source of income, but your source of income."

"Huh? Me... us?"

"Both of you are from Liaodong, the old Han army, and you have been governor and governor respectively before. In this way, although there are not many high officials in the frontier, there are also soldiers and horses from the direct line. To be honest, how to arrange you I have also spent a lot of time thinking about how to arrange comrades who may have similar backgrounds as you in the future."

"The position is low, it is not suitable. You are already the second-rank officials of the Qing court, and you can say that you surrendered voluntarily. You even have an army, especially on the border of Guangdong. The prefects of various states , Tongju, Tongzhi, and even the county magistrates and county magistrates in various counties, you are all familiar with it. If you give it too low, you yourself will not be convinced, and you will not be able to play your due value, and it is not in line with my Da Ming's tolerance. Great spirit."

"But to be honest, if I give the position higher, it doesn't seem appropriate. You two old Han soldiers, to put it bluntly, are all big traitors, and they have blood debts from their compatriots on their hands. Take the initiative to take refuge, but in fact, everyone understands that this is just a matter of the times. To put it bluntly, you will definitely not be able to beat my monk Zhixin.

Therefore, if I am appointed at the same level as the Qing court, regardless of my background, is it possible that you can still be the governor and governor of Guangdong?Even if it is the official status of this second rank, even if you are given a false position, it is difficult to say whether the other people below will be convinced. "

Liu Bingquan and Jin Guangzu looked at each other when they heard the words, and then they were convinced and wanted to bow down again, but they were supported by Liu Dapao.

Hearing the words, Jin Guangzu said with emotion: "What the prime minister said is exactly the embarrassment of the two of us. After all, since the two of us have surrendered now, it is equivalent to boarding this ship of your Daming. Really. If the Ming Dynasty is destroyed, will the two of us have a good end when we return to the Qing court?"

"However, the issue of parentage is really embarrassing. In fact, the two of us accompanied General Feng in Meiling these days. In fact, we also wanted to help and contribute. It's just...it's just that everyone doesn't regard us as their own! The two of us Seeing it in my eyes every day, I am anxious in my heart, but at the same time, I dare not say nonsense advice, offending the four general soldiers for nothing, hey~"

Liu Bingquan also followed with a wry smile and said, "As for unreasonable thoughts such as reinstating the official, I absolutely dare not think about it blindly. In fact, I am satisfied if I can save my life and become a rich man. "

Liu Dapao nodded sharply while refilling the cocoa in their cups, and said, "Understood, I understand, I can understand all this. I'm a pragmatic person, so I won't talk about nonsense with you two."

"Both of you have abilities, and you are also the ones who are most familiar with the situation at the grassroots level in Guangdong and even Guangxi provinces. To be honest, my main energy has been devoted to the city of Chenghai these years. Making money to support the army is my priority. Director, but in such a large province, what are the actual conditions of each state capital, how many people and how much arable land each county has, I am not afraid of the two jokes, it is all black eyes."

"Besides, I don't understand military strategy. I'm very good at making weapons. Within three years, I'm sure to upgrade Mingjun's mainstream equipment. But when it comes to fighting, I'm a fool. "

"It's not only that I don't know how to do it, but few of my subordinates really know how to do it. So far, I don't even have a decent staff team. Yu Chenglong and Yao Qisheng are all civilian officials after all. Although they can't say yes to military strategy I don’t know anything about it, but it’s really not enough to see in comparison.”

"I really lack a trustworthy direct descendant, so I'm looking for the two of you to come here today. Before I formally ask the policy, I still have to ask a question. Are you willing to be my direct descendant?"

"I plan to set up five major military divisions under the prime minister's mansion to help me with military counselors. In terms of real power, I don't have any. It's the nature of being my adviser, helping me with some official documents and the like. If you two are willing, You can transfer the soldiers and horses in your hands to others to command and take up this position."

"The level is really not high. After all, it is a position in the Prime Minister's Mansion, so I can only give it to the sixth rank at most, and because I don't have real power, to be honest, I'm afraid it's impossible to lead the army alone in the future. Is it possible to develop? That's it, so maybe for you two, it's really a bit condescending."

"Ordinarily, I should give you two more compensation in terms of stocks, but the company is not my company alone. Hey~, in fact, the company's board of directors and supervisory board think that I have issued options too hard, and they have a lot of opinions. , it’s nothing more than that the war is relatively smooth now, and the company’s profits and development are still rising steadily, so there is no major disturbance.”

"So after thinking about it, I can only think of a way by myself and rack my brains to find a new way of making money for you. The two of you will start this cocoa company to make money. If it develops well after the split and listing , not only can you earn money, but your cocoa company, as a part of the West Pacific Company's spin-off, will naturally increase your net worth. Converted into company stocks, you can also have more voting rights, which can be regarded as a disguised form. stock."

"Of course, cocoa and chocolate are new things. Whether they can really open up the market and whether they can find a way to greatly reduce production costs depends on your ability."

"In this way, the shareholders of the company will not have any objections, and the rest of the soldiers will not have any dissatisfaction with your thoughts. As for me, I can also let you make the best of your talents and develop your abilities. Recruiting people with similar identities to you will be dealt with sequentially, but I don't know, are you satisfied with this arrangement?"

When Jin and Liu heard the words, how could they say no?
In fact, at this time, it is already a man's knife and I'm fish and meat. No matter how Liu Dapao deals with them, they will only have to accept it, and being a staff member by Liu Dapao's side is actually very valuable, let alone Compensated them.

Cocoa and chocolate, even if the two of them don't understand business, they can understand the value of it. It's hard to say whether they can make a lot of money, but anyway, if they work hard, it will be no problem to keep their children and grandchildren rich.

"The prime minister is so kind, we have nothing to repay, and we will do our best until we die."

"Very good, then, let's analyze some of the current battles, you two, why teach me? If I really send troops to attack Labu, will the risk really be great?"

(End of this chapter)