First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 619: Navy Commander Farewell to Zhou Zhongyin

...

Although the newly built Kaiyue City has not yet been completely completed, it has begun to take shape. The streets in the city are horizontal and vertical, and the houses are scattered in an orderly manner.

There are rows of warehouses in the north of the city, and there are docks on the coast. The road leading to the dock is wide and straight. The Kaiyue Customs is built in the middle of the road. Every batch of imported and exported goods needs to go through heavy inspections by the customs.

All this seems very novel and orderly. Many maritime merchants are also deeply aware of the significance of the Shipping Department. In the future, maritime trade will tend to be formalized and will no longer grow as wildly as before.

The implementation of any new policy will definitely affect the interests of some people. After all, it is difficult to have both sides of the law in this world, and the same is true for the Municipal Shipping Department. Among these 58 maritime merchants, Gao Chong knows very well that they are not here to support the Municipal Shipping Department. Si, he is just afraid of the power of the Imperial Palace.

If Gao Chong was just a weak manager, without the lessons learned from Ning Changzhen, Tan Dian and others, these lofty-minded maritime merchants would certainly not be so obedient.

Even so, in the huge Lingnan, there are countless maritime merchants, at least there are more than a hundred, and now only 58 of them attend the meeting on time. As for the others, Gao Chong will definitely not be merciful. To compete with the government, the imperial government could only prove its strength, and the will of the imperial court was beyond doubt.

The eradication of crocodiles was handed over to Tian Yangming, and the responsibility of building customs and repairing roads was handed over to Feng You. After inspecting Kaiyue City, Gao Chong began to shift his focus to the Nanyang Navy. This was the key to the city's shipping company to establish a foothold in Lingnan in the future. location.

The cost of establishing a new navy can be said to be huge, but the situation is different now. Through the ships donated by the Ning family and other state chiefs, the warships of the Nanyang Navy have become quite large.

According to statistics, the Navy has not yet formed an army, but its fleet already has 36 large ships, [-] sterns, and more than [-] other boats and yachts. The number of warships in the Nanyang Navy has exceeded one hundred.

The value of the hundreds of warships is immeasurable. After the news spread, the wealthy chiefs from all over Lingnan were shocked.

This is the power of accumulating small amounts into large amounts. In the past time, the various ethnic groups in Lingnan grew wildly and their wealth was immeasurable. There was only one Ning clan in Qinzhou, which dominated Qinzhou for more than a hundred years, and owned dozens of warships and numerous naval forces. Thousands of people, and countless other wealth.

Although the Central Plains nobles looked down upon these Lingnan barbarian chiefs, in terms of cultural heritage, the Central Plains nobles were superior, but compared to wealth, they might be far inferior to these barbarian chiefs.

Because the Central Plains is still under the jurisdiction of the government, all kinds of taxes cannot be lost. To put it more bluntly, the Central Plains is still bound by royal laws and there is pressure from the court, so the nobles in various places do not dare to be too lawless.

But it was different in Lingnan. The chiefs in Jizhou County did not have to pay taxes. The chiefs were the king's law. To put it simply, they were the local emperors. Over the years, the wealth they accumulated was immeasurable.

From this point of view, Gao Chong is also grateful to Ning Changzhen, Ning Daoming, Tan Dian and others. If Gao Chong arrives in Guangzhou directly and then implements the city shipping division, he will definitely encounter great resistance.

But now, Ning Daoming rebelled, and Gao Chong took advantage of righteousness to recruit powerful chiefs such as Baizhou Pang and Yuezhou Mo, indirectly forcing Ning Changzhen to death, and completely suppressing the huge Ning family, in order to preserve the Ning family and gain the trust of the court. , forcing Ning Chun to sacrifice the Ning family's warship.

The rest of the Chen family in Longzhou clung to him wholeheartedly and tried to revive the Chen family. The Feng family in Gaozhou also knew that the court needed to balance the forces in Lingnan and gave full support to Gao Chong. The Tan family in Luozhou had to obey unconditionally under coercion and inducement.

As for the Yang family and the Wang family in the eastern part of Lingnan, it is even simpler. Yang Shilue is similar to Chen Longshu in that he only has an enterprising spirit and no ambition to be independent. The Wang family has also declined after Wang Zhongxuan's rebellion.

Since then, the land of Lingnan, from west to east, from the Ning family of Qinzhou in the west to the Yang family of Chaozhou in the east, has been "defeated" one by one. No great chieftain dared to resist the will of the imperial court.

As for some small wealthy chiefs who overestimate their capabilities, then Gao Chong needs to further slay the chickens to scare the monkeys.

Warships are available, but the gifts presented by the chiefs of various states are also valuable, enough to create a fully armed naval force.

The armor is even simpler. It directly uses crocodile skin. The crocodile skin has been specially tempered. It may be difficult to defend against heavy weapons such as spears, spears, horses, hammers, and maces, but it is not a problem to defend against the arrows of pirates. Down.

In the next two days, Liu Rengui inspected everywhere and finally decided to build the naval base more than fifty miles east of Kaiyue City.

After Gao Chong received the report, he personally accompanied Liu Rengui to see it on the spot and was very satisfied.

This location is at Zishi garrison on the north bank of Yushui (the Pearl River). It was originally a military fortress. During the Han Dynasty, the Nanyue Kingdom stationed troops here to guard Panyu City. The geographical location is very dangerous. Facing the bay, it is also an excellent location. The natural harbor not only provides shelter from wind and waves, but also has deep water levels.

After asking local senior sailors, Gao Chong decided to choose Zishi garrison as the headquarters of the Nanyang Navy. However, this name was once the name of an ancient military town, and now it is just an abandoned earth fort. The scale is too small. It is difficult to accommodate the huge Nanyang Navy.

Gao Chong ordered Wang Chang, who joined the army, to expand the earthen fort and rename it Kaihai City. It would serve as the headquarters of the Nanyang Navy in the future, one east and one west, echoing the Shibo Division of Kaiyue City and guarding Panyu City.

On the second day after selecting the station, Gao Chong received an urgent report that several large ships appeared on the southeast sea and were about to dock.

Gao Chong was overjoyed when he heard this, and help finally arrived.

As expected, someone came to report: The person who came was the Jianghuai navy, who was ordered to go south and asked to dock.

Gao Chong immediately led his people straight out of the city.

On the north bank of Yushui, watching the two huge building ships gradually approaching, Gao Chong grinned and said: "It's actually a building ship, King Huaiyang is really interesting."

Liu Rengui and others on the left and right also looked happy. A giant building like a building ship was a big killer no matter where it was, and the construction cost was extremely high.

"I heard that Jinglue had a life-and-death relationship with King Huaiyang back then. How could he still be stingy with Jinglue?"

Tian Yangming bared his teeth happily and said with a smile: "Look at the Jianghuai high-rise boats. They are really different from the Lingnan ones. They seem to be taller."

The King of Huaiyang was Li Daoxuan. As a loyal supporter of Li Shimin, Li Shimin also placed great importance on his cousin after he succeeded to the throne. He appointed him as the Governor of Yangzhou. As one of the four great governors in the world, he governed Jianghuai, Wuyue and other places. To put it bluntly, Li Daoxuan, King of Huaiyang, was the "King of Jiangnan" of the Tang Dynasty.

The relationship between Li Daoxuan and Gao Chong is also very close, and even secretly, it is precisely because of Gao Chong's existence that Li Daoxuan did not die young.

Li Daoxuan received an order from his cousin Li Shimin in Yangzhou and heard that Lingnan Gaochong needed support. With a wave of his hand, Li Daoxuan directly mobilized a thousand elite naval forces and presented two large-scale ships to sail to Lingnan. This was a manifestation of personal connections.

It would never be as easy for any other person to take charge of Lingnan and form a navy. Warships, soldiers, money and food, generals, elite navy, etc., any link may be blocked.

Under the control of the sailors on the shore, the building boat slowly docked and lowered the ladder.

Then a general with a strong build and a short beard came down first. He was about fifty years old, with a slightly gray beard and hair, a strong face, and a bit dark. He should have been exposed to wind and sun all year round. At this time, he was wearing armor and stepped on the ship's ladder. He walked down slowly, his steps firm and powerful, and his figure did not waver at all.Gao Chong called for everyone to come forward. When the general saw this, he quickly stepped forward and bowed his hands first, saying: "Zhou Zhongyin, the Jianghuai navy commander, has met the general envoy."

"I have been looking forward to it day and night, but finally General Zhou has arrived." Gao Chong laughed loudly and said, "When I saw him today, he was really majestic."

Zhou Zhongyin also hurriedly returned the gift.

Then everyone met one by one and made arrangements to take over the building ship and settle the thousand elite sailors.

After returning to Panyu City, everyone sat down and introduced him in detail again. Everyone was surprised to find out that General Zhou had such a great reputation.

Zhou Zhongyin, courtesy name Mengxiu, was born in Xunyang, that is, Jiangzhou. He has been an official for generations. His grandfather Zhou Fahao served as an official in Nanliang and paid homage to the Grand Administrator of Shixing. He was granted the title of Duke of Linzheng County. His father, Zhou Luohu, was an official in the Sui Dynasty and paid homage to the General Youwuhou. , was granted the title of Duke of Yining County.

It is said that the Zhou family in Jiangzhou is proficient in water warfare, especially Zhou Zhongyin's father Zhou Luohu, who was good at riding and shooting at the age of fifteen, studied military skills, and was very loyal and famous.

Zhou Luohu served as an official in Nanchen and followed the famous Nanchen general Wu Mingche in the northern expedition to Northern Qi. Zhou Luohu was ordered to lead the navy. As a pioneer, he took the lead in crossing the river. As a result, he was shot in the left eye by an arrow in the chaos. Zhou Luohu reluctantly pulled out the arrow. , threw his eyeballs into the river, continued to fight, and became famous in one battle.

Later, Wu Mingche was surrounded by the Northern Qi army in Suyu (today's Suqian). The situation was critical and the Chen army was about to collapse. Zhou Luohu stepped forward, jumped on his horse and charged into the battle. He joined forces with another Nanchen fierce general Xiao Mohe to turn the tide and defeat the Chen army. Turn defeat into victory.

Later, the Northern Zhou Dynasty was destroyed and the Northern Qi Dynasty was destroyed. Wu Mingche continued the Northern Expedition and fought a decisive battle with the Northern Zhou Army at the gate of Xuzhou City. The Northern Zhou Army's cavalry was like a wave. Xiao Mohe was in trouble in charging and accidentally fell off his horse. At the critical moment, Zhou Luohu entered the siege and rescued Xiao Mohe. , the world praised him as "bravely championing the three armies".

"Book of the Sui Dynasty" records: "Maha fell from his horse in battle. Rahu came to the rescue and rescued Mahar from the encirclement. He bravely defeated the three armies.

The most important thing is that Zhou Luohu is not only brave, but also quite talented in literature. Empress Chen likes poetry and will always ask the officials to compose poems to entertain them during banquets. When it is Zhou Luohu's turn, he does not panic and composes poems on the spot, which often wins the applause of the whole house.

"Book of the Sui Dynasty" records: "When Zhou Luohu wrote and composed poems, he was just like mounting a horse and entering the battle without being behind others."

It can be seen from this that Zhou Luohu was an all-rounder in both civil and military affairs.

When Yang Jian replaced Zhou Jian in the Sui Dynasty, his troops were divided into three groups to destroy Chen. Zhou Luohu was ordered to take control of Yingzhou (today's Wuhan). Qin Wang Yang Jun led the main force of the Chinese army to attack for several months, but could not conquer it.

At this time, Yang Su of the West Route Army was unstoppable and captured more than ten cities in Nanchen. He Ruobi and Han Qinhu of the East Route Army captured Jiankang and captured Chen Houzhu alive. Nanchen was actually destroyed.

The commander-in-chief, King Yang Guang of Jin, forced Empress Chen to write an edict, ordering Zhou Luohu to surrender. The rear was broken and the monarch was captured. Zhou Luohu was helpless. After receiving the order, he cried bitterly for three days, dismissed his soldiers, and surrendered to the Sui Dynasty.

After returning to the Sui Dynasty, Yang Jian admired Zhou Luohu's talents and his tenacity and loyalty. Regardless of past resentments, he continued to reuse Zhou Luohu and served as governor of Bin and Jing prefectures. This was the capital of the capital, which shows that Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty trusted him.

In the 18th year of Emperor Kaihuang's reign, Yang Jian sent troops to attack Liaodong and appointed Zhou Luohu, who had a well-educated family background, as the general manager of the navy to lead the navy in the expedition to Liaodong.

Zhou Luohu led his army out to sea from Donglai and arrived at Pyongyang City. Unexpectedly, there was a strong wind and had to return without success. Later, Yang Guang succeeded to the throne and was promoted to General Youwuhou.

When Yang Liang, the former king of the Sui and Han Dynasties, rebelled, Zhou Luohu was ordered to put down the rebellion. He went into battle in person at the age of 64. Unfortunately, he was killed in the battle and died for his country. Yang Guangda was so moved that he presented it to General Zhuguo and Youyiwei. His posthumous title was Zhuang and he was given silk. Thousand paragraphs.

After becoming a famous general, Zhou Zhongyin was also a tiger father without a dog son. He was proficient in water warfare and served in the Jianghuai Navy in the former Sui Dynasty.

Yuwen Wenhua and Jiangdu Palace committed regicide, but the navy army was not involved. Later, Yuwen Zhuangzhuang led the Xiaoguo Army back to the west, while the navy army continued to stay in Jiangdu. At that time, the world was in chaos and the princes were fighting, but the Jianghuai navy army never participated in the war.

After entering the Tang Dynasty, Zhou Zhongyin had no merit and continued to serve as a navy general. He spent his days wasted for many years and had no use for his talents. However, a few years ago, after Li Daoxuan went to Yangzhou, he met Zhou Zhongyin and asked him for merit and was awarded the title of Guardian of the Army.

This time the Nanyang Navy was formed, and Gao Chong asked for support. Li Daoxuan knew that this was a rare opportunity, so he transferred Zhou Zhongyin to Lingnan. Zhou Zhongyin was grateful, but also very looking forward to it. He was nearly fifty, if he could no longer make contributions, then What a waste of this inherited skill.

"Thanks to the envoy and the King of Huaiyang, if Zhou Zhongyin dares to die without serving, he will do his best to build the Nanyang Navy. If there is any violation, both humans and gods will be killed."

After getting acquainted with each other, Zhou Zhongyin stood up directly, raised the glass in his hand and drank it down.

"Meng Xiu's words are serious." Gao Chong also raised his glass, "I have long heard about the Jiangzhou Zhou family's ability in water warfare, and the reputation of Ling Zunyi Ning Zhuanggong is also like thunder. I believe that Meng Xiu will definitely be able to shock the Zhou family again in the future." With his prestige, the Zhou family's flag can fly across Southeast Asia."

Hearing these words, Zhou Zhongyin was greatly moved. It really touched his heart, and he bowed and thanked him again.

After wasting more than ten years in Yangzhou, there was no use for him, and Zhou Zhongyin felt extremely depressed.

Now that the Nanyang Navy is newly built, its responsibility is to clear the sea lanes, quell the Nanyang pirates, and protect the Lingnan maritime merchants. Its future is promising.

"Everyone, as approved by the Holy Spirit, from today onwards, Zhou Zhongyin will serve as the Nanyang Navy's special general, ranking fourth in rank, and will be fully responsible for the training of the Navy into an army," Gao Chong said solemnly.

Then he looked at Zhou Zhongyin and said, "Meng Xiu, this is Liu Rengui of Bianzhou, the current naval commander. From now on, you two must work together to build the best naval fleet in the world to repay the kindness of the Holy One."

After hearing this, Liu Rengui stood up and paid homage to Zhou Zhongyin: "Liu Rengui, the commander of the Navy, has met General Zhou."

Zhou Zhongyin didn't dare to express his gratitude and hurriedly returned the gift.

Then the two of them faced the north to express their gratitude together and solemnly expressed their stance.

At this point, the team of the Nanyang Navy was finally established. Zhou Zhongyin and Liu Rengui were both promoted from higher ranks. They had high expectations and were also full of enterprising spirit. One was experienced and the other was young and powerful. The two complemented each other well together.

The construction of Kaiyue City and Kaihai City was in full swing. With the announcement of naval recruitment in various states, Panyu City became lively again.

The children of wealthy chiefs from all over the country rushed to Panyu to conduct the naval military examination. Most of them were direct descendants of wealthy families, such as Ning Jing of the Ning family in Qinzhou, Feng Ningbang of the Feng family of Gaozhou, and Tan Fan of the Tan family of Luozhou.

Gao Chong would not refuse the children of these powerful chiefs if they could pass the examination. This situation would be difficult to prevent at any time, not to mention that the military quality of these people was indeed better than that of ordinary poor people.

(End of this chapter)