Late Ming sea owl

Chapter 176 Let the court send a wave first

In October of the sixth year of Tianqi, Zhu Qinxiang, governor of Fujian Province and a member of the Donglin Party, was dismissed for disobeying Wei Zhongxian, and the new governor Zhu Yifeng took office.

Zhu Yifeng once served in Fujian as Duoshou Funing Daoyou, political envoy, Siyou, and other positions. He had been involved in Fujian official circles for a long time. Just a few days after he took office, Zheng Zhilong gave him a meeting gift and captured the Tongshan Qianhu Station where the deputy general of the Fujian South Road Army was stationed.

Tongshan Institute is located on Dongshan Island in Zhao'an County, which is the second largest island in Fujian after Haitan Island, and its area is larger than Kinmen and Xiamen. Less than a hundred miles southwest of Dongshan Island is Nan'ao Island, a famous tourist attraction in later generations - it was affiliated to the Chaozhou Mansion of the Chief Envoy of Guangdong during the Ming Dynasty.

In addition to the deputy general of Fujian South Road, there is also Tongshan Water Village on Dongshan Island. In addition, the imperial court also had the Zhangchao Deputy Commander-in-Chief on Nan'ao Island, who could nominally control the Fujian South Road Deputy Commander-in-Chief to avoid the problem of inconsistent handling powers at the border between Fujian and Guangzhou.

But what’s really annoying is that the immediate superiors of these two deputy commanders, the Zhangnan Branch Patrol Road and the Huchao Military Preparatory Road, are subordinate to the governors of Fujian and Guangdong respectively. The former also takes orders from the governor of Nangan who is stationed in Ganzhou, Jiangxi. .

Since civil servants such as the Taoist Supervisor controlled the food, pay and weapons, and also had the power to evaluate subordinate generals, in the end, the two deputy generals were in charge of their own affairs and could not achieve the effect of coordinated operations at all.

Moreover, Zheng Zhilong also picked a good time this time. Not long after Yang Yingchun, the former deputy commander-in-chief of Fujian South Road, had just been dismissed, and Chen Xifan, who had been promoted from the rank of military staff general of the Nanjing Ministry of War, had not yet taken office. He took the opportunity to lead his direct troops to Tongshan Station. .

Before Zheng Zhilong's failed recruitment, he had mobilized all his troops to plunder places such as Jinghai Station and Jiazimen Station in Guangdong. All those who surrendered were given preferential treatment, and those who resisted were massacred. His methods were more brutal than in Fujian. Much more.

Of course, for his own reputation, he left the massacre of the city to Li Kuiqi, Liu Xiang, Zhong Bin and others. The three brothers were very grateful for this. After all, massacre of the city meant countless children of gold and silk.

This time there was no general in charge of the Tongshan Institute, so the officers and soldiers below surrendered directly to the city. Zheng Zhilong effortlessly occupied the important coastal defense town in the southern border of Fujian.

"When did this happen?" Lin Hai asked after hearing the news brought by Xu Letian.

"About half a month ago, the Zheng thief is still in Tongshan. According to the informant in Jingang, he is dispatching Li Kuiqi and others to lead his troops to Tongshan. It seems that he intends to stay there for a long time." Xu Letian heard. Yan replied.

"It seems that this guy is planning to make a big fuss." Lin Hai gestured on a nautical chart on the table, "He chose a good place this time. Tongshan is located at the junction of Fujian and Guangzhou. No matter whether he goes north or It is convenient to plunder Zhangquan or go south to attack Chaohui. It seems that both Fujian and Guangdong provinces will have a headache."

"Brother Lin is right. The wind direction in the offshore sea is changeable. No matter where you want to go, you will always find the right wind direction if you wait a little longer." Xu Letian continued, "What's more, Dongshan Island is densely populated and has many fields. Nowadays, It is the time of autumn harvest, and tens of thousands of troops can be stationed here."

"So, I'm afraid this guy is planning to spend the winter in Tongshan." Lin Hai smiled when he heard this, "That's good. After leaving the nest in Yingang, Hongmao is unlikely to cross the sea to support him."

Xu Letian nodded and said: "My father said the same thing. Hongmao dare not come to the coast of Fujian to stir up trouble. Now the newly appointed Master Zhu Du is raising money and food to go to Tongshan to suppress the bandits. My father sent me to Tamsui this time. I would like to ask Brother Lin to lead his troops to join us in the suppression."

Lin Hai picked up the tea bowl and took a sip, and asked slowly: "Who is the general leading the army? Do you know the soldiers?"

Xu Letian replied: "I don't know the new Fujian Governor Hong Xianchun very well. He just took office in leap June this year. He was previously the Governor of Guangdong."

"You are underestimating the enemy. I'm afraid this Lord Zhu Du has never fought in a war before?" Lin Hai put down the tea bowl and said, "How can a mere Du Si palm seal be able to deal with someone named Zheng?"

The so-called Du Si Zhang Seal is also the chief seal officer of the Du Commander's Department. This yamen, the Chief Envoy's Department, and the Inspector's Envoy's Department are collectively known as the three local departments. They were the serious provincial-level local officials in the Ming Dynasty. Later, the governors, inspectors, and general soldiers were actually They all have the nature of imperial envoys, but they gradually replaced the duties of serious local officials.

Of course, the Ming Dynasty would definitely not have so many redundant officials, so the political counselors, counselors, deputy envoys and even the envoys of the Second Department of Buyi were assigned to Taoist officials and directly took orders from the governor. As for the chief envoy, they generally became Taoist officials' transfer resources. Many Taoist priests had to serve as chief envoy for a while before being promoted to governor.

As for the Dusi Zhangyin, who was in charge of a provincial guard system, he was originally a provincial military chief in the early Ming Dynasty, but later his status was below that of the guerrilla generals, and some generals under the imperial command were able to act under the capital command system.

"Who says it's not the case?" Xu Letian sighed after hearing Lin Hai's words, "But this time Master Zhu Du also issued a strict order to my father, asking him to obey the orders of General Hongdu..."

"What are you talking about? Mr. Zhu Du asked your father to go into battle. Isn't he seasick?" Lin Hai almost spit out his tea. He didn't know that this time in history, Xu Xinsu really fell in love. Of course, he returned in defeat, but luckily He didn't die at the hands of Zheng Zhilong.

"Exactly." Xu Letian added, "Perhaps Mr. Zhu Du thinks that my father knows the military. Brother Lin must not forget that the general in the last battle of Xiamen was his old man."

Okay...you blame me for being too good at fighting?

Lin Hai calmed down and said in a deep voice: "Perhaps the old thief Huang Mingzuo is acting as a monster and wants to use the hands of thief Zheng to get rid of your father."

"It's also possible." Xu Letian nodded, "No matter what, please ask Brother Lin to lead his army south as soon as possible, otherwise my father will be in danger."

"I really can't leave, and I can't spare any troops." Lin Hai began to complain to Xu Letian, "I just fought a battle with the Qianlu people not long ago. Although we have made peace now, God knows what they will do. I won’t go back on my word, and my soldiers are still fighting the natives.”

"What should we do?" Xu Letian was a little anxious when he heard this. He knew the combat power of Lin Hai's troops better than Xu Xinsu. His father was also superstitious about Yu Zigao, but he only believed in Lin Hai.

"Brother Lotte, don't be anxious. Just let your father-in-law say that he is ill. I'm sorry that Master Zhu Du can't do anything to him. At least we can wait for a while." Lin Hai said and added, "Wait until I have my hands free. , and immediately mobilized the entire army to go south to assist in the battle, since Thief Zheng probably won’t leave for a while.”

"That's all." Xu Letian said again, "What if the Zheng thief comes to attack the Zhongzuo Suo again? He has recruited many more soldiers in Guangdong, and now there are nearly 20,000 people."

Lin Hai smiled and said: "No matter how large the mob is, it is in vain. It is just a waste of money and food. Just let your father-in-law defend the city according to the method he used last time. As long as the city is well-protected, the Zheng thieves will never be able to attack." Seeing that Lin Hai was determined not to send troops, Letian had no choice but to ask: "When can Brother Lin be free to go south to help in the war?"

"Two months at most." Lin Hai took the opportunity to bring up the matter of building a church. "There is still something I need your father's help with. I have something to do with the La people who want to build a church in Ming Dynasty..."

After sending Xu Letian away, Lin Hai convened a meeting with the board members in Dongfan. He first reported the news brought by Xu Letian, then looked around at everyone and said: "Looking at the situation, Zheng Zhilong will spend the winter in Tongshan Institute this time. Everyone, please tell me." Come on, how should we respond?"

"Let me tell you, he didn't come to mess with us, and there's no need for us to rush to catch him. Otherwise, what if we go to Fujian and our home is stolen by some related people?" Commander of the Navy Shi Bi was the first to speak. What was he talking about? The treaty is completely indifferent.

"This is impossible." Miguel, the deputy commander of the Navy, was tit-for-tat with his immediate superior. "The treaty is here in black and white. It is impossible for the Governor of the Philippines to completely disregard his credibility."

Lin Hai nodded when he heard this: "It is the north wind season now, and it is unlikely that Manila will send a large army to Dongfan. I also think there is no need to worry about this aspect."

"Then we can't send out troops now. Dongshan Island is so big. Zheng Zhilong can't be trapped by the navy alone." Shi Bi said and glanced at Wu Guoyi again. "Half of the Army Department's troops are currently fighting the natives in Yilan. Just rely on the First Army." Is it okay to play the first and second games?”

The commander of the Army Department was concurrently served by Lin Hai himself, and Wu Guoyi was now the deputy commander. After listening to Shi Bi's words, he said solemnly: "If the commander-in-chief has the order, the Army Department can fight with just two bureaus. But Zheng has many thieves. , to be on the safe side, it’s best to bring all four rounds.”

"I said so much, but I don't mean I don't want to fight." Shi Bi was really frightened by the number of 20,000 people. He had no idea about land warfare at the moment. He only looked at the number of people. At the same time, he also knew that he wanted to attack Dongshan Island. , relying solely on the navy is not enough.

"Sister-in-law, why do we have to fight with the man named Zheng?" Shi Bi continued, "Although shopkeeper Xu in Fujian is very kind to us, and we should help him, we must be sure that we can win. ah."

"You are right, but we also have difficulties in having to send troops." Lin Hai said to Zhu Niang, "Tell everyone why we have to fight Zheng Zhilong."

"Okay." Zhu Niang stood up and said, "Everyone, the company now needs to import a large amount of materials from Fujian. Not to mention other things, just food alone requires more than 300 shi per day, and tens of thousands of shi per month. The rice produced in Wanhua this year is only enough for two months, and immigrants from Chongming and Zhoushan are still arriving."

"In addition to food, there is also cotton. Dongpan does not produce cotton. The natives wear either deerskin or linen...and then there is the iron that the construction department needs..."

Zhu Niang talked a lot. After returning from Zhoushan, Lin Hai had already given up on civil affairs, so she was actually the housekeeper of Huiyou Company. When it came to the quantities of various imported materials, she could easily tell them.

Shi Bi and Miguel were dumbfounded. They had never been in charge of civil affairs and had no idea how much consumption of 20,000 to 30,000 people would be. Only Wu Guoyi had some idea of ​​this.

"Everyone, now you know why we have to fight Zheng Zhilong?" Lin Hai took over Zhu Niang's words and said, "The company relies heavily on Fujian supplies. Zheng Zhilong plans to stay in Tongshan this time. Sooner or later he will go there If we plunder from the north, our cargo ships will all face threats."

"If that's the case, then why don't we send warships to escort?" Shibi has no confidence in the company's army, but he is full of confidence in the navy.

"Then how many warships must be sent? Zheng Zhilong is not weak at sea." Lin Hai is different from Shibi. He believes that the uncertainty of naval battles is greater. "Besides, if the war in Fujian drags on for too long, food, cloth, and iron tools will be lost." When city prices soar, the company will not have much cash left.”

"What did you say?" Shibi was shocked when he heard this, "We made millions of taels last year."

"You have spent more than 200,000 taels on Haojing, and I have spent even more. Most of this year's income has not come back yet. Sihai Bank is only lending money now. Now the company's money is only There are less than two hundred thousand taels left."

Lin Hai sighed as he spoke. Buying ships, artillery, raising troops, immigration, and infrastructure all cost money like water. Now he can only pray that nothing happens to Ou Zuoji and Zheng Tingqiu, otherwise he won't be able to survive next year. If you don’t have enough money to buy goods, you can only go to Ming Dynasty to rob like Zheng Zhilong.

"So there will be no dividends this year?" Miguel said from the sidelines.

"The board of directors will meet at the end of the year to make a decision. I am inclined not to pay dividends. After all, the company has only been established for a few months, and the Dutch East India Company has stipulated that no dividends will be paid in the first ten years." Lin Hai is actually quite conflicted. On the one hand, he wants to Complete the first dividend as soon as possible. On the other hand, this will cause practical difficulties for next year's operations.

"Then there will be no distinction. Whoever dares to fucking blow up his hair will be chopped off by me." Shibi stared at Miguel and said.

"I completely agree not to pay dividends this year." Miguel replied calmly, "The company is in the early stages of development, and shareholders should take a longer-term view."

"I don't want dividends, and I won't want them in the future. The military salary the company gives me is enough for my daily expenses." Wu Guoyi doesn't care about money, he just wants revenge.

"Then I have to give you the points. As for how you want to use it, that's your freedom. You can return it to the company or donate it to the families of the fallen soldiers, but it cannot be given to active officers and soldiers of the Ministry of War." Lin Hai said to Wu Guoyi, this person He was satisfied with the statements of several senior executives, but the significance of dividends did not just lie with them.

"In short, if Zheng Zhilong never retreats, we must fight with him." Lin Hai continued, "Everyone knows this."

Everyone nodded, and Lin Hai added: "In this case, the company's recent work focus will shift to preparing for war. The Civil Affairs Bureau should buy more food from Fuzhou Prefecture as soon as possible. The war should not be over for a while. Yilan's The war can't be dragged on for too long, so we'll send the first round, and all the sailors from the Admiralty who have never fought in the war will be sent there to see the blood."

"Sure, I'll go to Yilan myself." Shibi said eagerly after hearing this. He still didn't quite understand why the army and navy were divided. Pirates all boarded the ship and became the navy, and disembarked the ship and became the army. The same is true for Zheng Zhilong.

Lin Hai nodded to Shibi, and then said to Miguel: "Send someone to Keelung tomorrow to call Jin Hao over. I have something to talk to him about."

(End of this chapter)