Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 218 Before the war, clean up the interior first

Seeing that Dong's daughter had such a color, Hu Zhihuang was stunned. His eyes were staring up and down, looking up and down unscrupulously.

The magistrate of Jiangpu picked up a piece of sea cucumber and smiled.

Alas, it’s done!

Sure enough, Hu Zhihuang, who came back to his senses, raised his glass:

"Your Majesty Taishan, my son-in-law respects you."

Drink three glasses of wine in a row, never raise a fish, and have a sincere attitude.

Everyone hurriedly complimented and flattered him, and for a while the back office was as lively as a vegetable market, and people were sweeping the floor politely.

……

Hu Zhihuang, who was extremely drunk, was helped into the carriage by Dong's servants and sent back to the mansion to sober up.

Dong Daguan left the county government office with his hands behind his back and his toes in high spirits.

From now on, his voice will be 3 degrees louder.

Although running a herbal medicine shop is hugely profitable, it is nothing compared to the private mining business he does privately.

Jiangpu County borders Chu County, Anhui Province.

The Dong family secretly opened a private copper mine in Chu County, and the magistrate of Jiangpu County also had 2 shares.

The Qing Dynasty was short of copper, very short. After only half a year of mining, the money flowed into the pockets like a mountain and a tsunami.

However, it also attracted competitors.

The local snakes in Chu County are eyeing this piece of fat and are ready to get a piece of it.

There have been two armed fights between the two sides, with swords, guns and sticks being used, and there were casualties on both sides.

Copper mine output dropped sharply.

The miners have no intention of mining. They keep their swords in their hands every day, and they have to send someone to look after their meals.

That's why he targeted a rough guy like Hu Zhihuang who led the army.

Want to borrow some help!

……

Official Dong went to the shop for a walk before slowly returning home.

As soon as he returned home, he saw the housekeeper lost his mind at the door.

Seeing his master coming back, he quickly took two steps forward:

"Master, please take a moment to speak."

"What are you doing? Are you in a panic? Bandits are knocking on your door?"

The butler looked embarrassed and had a strange look on his face, and lowered his voice and said:

"The new uncle was a little impatient and dragged the second young lady in."

Official Dong looked shocked:

"what?"

"Master, do you want me to gather the servants and beat them out?"

"I'm going to beat you up, that's my new uncle. He has a military background and a bold personality. He's not familiar with the rules of the mansion. He'll get better in the future."

The housekeeper was so scolded that blood spurted from his head, and he went to take care of him with a smile.

He also scolded the maids and old ladies and told them to respect the new uncle! Don't chew randomly, otherwise you will be beaten out.

Dong Mansion is an enlightened family.

Early the next morning, Hu Zhihuang got up and walked around to look at the luxurious courtyard.

Fortunately, following Brother Li, I am well-informed. If Mr. Hu, the foreign affairs chief 2 years ago, would not be so calm.

……

Although we have temporarily lost contact with the base camp, it doesn't matter.

Brother Li asked himself to be a good chess piece and everything was arranged by himself. Then you don't have to worry about it.

They come, the security.

What the saint said is certainly correct.

Eat the Dong family's food, drink the Dong family's food, and play with the Dong family's food.

Undercover life is so exciting every day!

Although he said that he had three wives and concubines in Suzhou, he lied about being single and seemed to be a liar.

But this is for a great cause!

When it comes to whether an empire can be established, small details are of no importance.

If the great cause requires it, let alone a mere merchant's daughter.

Even if it is Qianlong's ten-gege, he still has to grit his teeth and take over and break into the enemy's nest.

It doesn't matter if others don't understand you, as long as the master understands.

Hu Zhihuang, who had completed all the psychological construction, took a leisurely walk, with maids passing by from time to time.

They all bent down to salute, covered their mouths and snickered.

The impatience of this new uncle is well known to everyone in the house.

It is said that men who have been on the battlefield are different. Although they may be a bit rough, they are extremely brave.

Life is also very good.

……

"Hello, uncle."

"Okay, okay, you~ are?"

"The younger one is the housekeeper of my house. If my uncle has any requests, please feel free to ask. Dong's house is not short of money."

"Then make me the best set of soft armor."

"what?"

"I am leading soldiers. On the battlefield, arrows have no eyes. The armor issued by the Ministry of War is really unworthy. Go get a set. We won't wear anything less than 300 taels."

"Young understand, here is a set of fine steel chainmail. Don't worry, this armor is very labor-intensive. Even 300 taels of labor is not enough."

Hu Zhihuang suddenly asked:

"Where's our new Taishan? We can't be accused of not knowing etiquette."

"I'll take you there, little one."

After turning two corners, Hu Zhihuang pushed the door open and went in.

But I saw Xin Taishan weeping there. What is going on?

"Oh, Lord Taishan, why is this?"

"My dear son-in-law, don't ask any more questions. It will only increase your sorrow. This matter is too difficult, so don't involve you in it."

The steward next to him said angrily:

"It's those people from Chuxian County, Anhui Province next door, who bully people too much. I worked hard and opened a mine diligently. I didn't steal or robbed anything, but they smashed it three times."

Hu Zhihuang smashed the tea bowl and stared:

"Is there anyone in Dong's house who is bullying me?"

"Taishan, hurry up and lead the way. Let's lead the troops."

……

Official Dong was surprised and wiped his tears again.

With a hint of joy in his sadness, he briefly told the whole story and the whole story.

"How much money can our copper mine make in a year?"

"Ahem, if no one makes trouble, after excluding the official expenses, there will probably be more than a hundred thousand taels left."

Hu Zhihuang was startled:

"This, so much?"

"Yes, yes."

Seeing Xin Taishan's eyes flashing and covering his face, Lao Hu immediately guessed that it was more than a hundred thousand taels.

I cursed in my heart that my son-in-law is not as good as my son.

We will be a serious family from now on, but we are still on guard against me.

Copper mine, the lord must like it. If you occupy it first and run it well, then the Li family army will go north, which will be another great achievement.

"Taishan, this copper mine is a good thing."

"Yeah yeah."

"My son-in-law has a question. Does the Chu County government know about it?"

Dong Daguan was a serious person and told the truth:

"The yamen on both sides are well aware of it, but it's hard to interfere. Once they intervene, the copper mine will no longer be hidden, and the profits will have to be shared with many people above."

"It's better to maintain the status quo. When children fight, the adults don't get involved. Whose child wins, that's whose family's ability."

Hu Zhihuang looked solemn and asked:

"The copper mine is on the border of Chu County. They can definitely come forward and turn it into a government operation."

"A good son-in-law is an amateur. First of all, the Ministry of Household Affairs may not approve it. Then, if it is approved, then the magistrate of Chu County is just a loser? He can only stare and get nothing. It is so good now, but the people below are exploiting it privately, and the yamen I don’t know anything about it, I don’t have any responsibility, I just take money.”

……

Hu Zhihuang sat back in his chair, picked up the tea bowl and drank without any hurry or impatience.

On the other hand, Dong Daguan couldn't keep his temper, and accompanied him carefully and asked:

"Xian son-in-law, do you think we have this mine?"

"Don't worry, Taishan. Since this is a matter of gods watching and mortals fighting. My son-in-law, it's easy. Make an appointment and set up a scene. Let's lead the troops to teach the local snakes in Chu County a lesson."

"You can't use the flag of officers and soldiers, and you can't use artillery."

"Don't worry, swords, shields and spears are enough."

Hu Zhihuang couldn't help but laugh. Soldiers who had been on the battlefield used weapons to crush the situation.

I'm afraid that the local snakes in Chu County will have a psychological shadow.

Dong Daguan's eyebrows were beaming and his beard was straightened:

"Come here, let's have a feast."

"Today at noon, I want to have a nice drink with my wise son-in-law."

Hu Zhihuang's life was so nourishing.

He finally understood why the lord loved to watch "Dream of Red Mansions" and "Plum in the Ping Ping".

It turns out that the book is not made up, real life is even more exciting.

……

A few days later, people came from Jiangnan.

Tell him to "take it as it comes" and not to think too much.

When the lord needs to touch him, he will naturally send someone to contact him.

In view of the importance of Hu Zhihuang's chess piece, Li Yu ordered the Intelligence Agency to set up a point in Jiangpu County.

The shop is located half a mile away from Dong's house and specializes in spicy soup and sesame cakes.

As a Henanese who has worked hard in a foreign land and has a successful career, Hu Zhihuang likes to eat a few delicacies from his hometown and has become a regular customer. It is reasonable.

The store's business is not prosperous, but it is because of the taste.

If the taste is too good, business will be booming.

It will affect the necessary intelligence work, which is like picking up sesame seeds and losing the watermelon.

Occasionally, a few gangsters come to the door to eat for free, and those who want to bully the shopkeeper are outsiders.

Fortunately, he met Hu Zhihuang, who was wearing a military attaché robe and came to eat spicy soup.

He was punched hard and rolled on the ground.

After hearing the news, the yamen officials came over and, as a favor, tied up Wang Fa and dragged him away for a few days.

Since then, the store has become much cleaner.

……

Hu Zhihuang lived a happy life in the small town of Jiangbei. In the south of the Yangtze River, the sky is covered with clouds.

Director of Intelligence, Liu Qian is back!

He had a long private conversation with Li Yu, received an unknown amount of funding, and then disappeared again.

No one knows where he went, and he has no obligation to explain to anyone.

As the head of the intelligence organization, he is only responsible to the master.

The original thief spirit was gone. It has become an elusive temperament, complex and dangerous.

……

Li Jiajun Headquarters (former Jiangsu Governor’s Yamen),

"My dear son-in-law, why don't the First Army Corps of Changzhou Prefecture attack Danyang immediately?"

"I don't allow it." Li Yu explained, "I hope that once the war starts, it will be like Mount Tai. After taking Danyang, the soldiers will not stop breaking through all the Qing army's barriers along the way, all the way to Jiangning City. The First Army cannot If the casualties are too heavy, more artillery will be needed. I have ordered the mobilization of four brigades of armed militia and the main navy warships to support them."

Hu Xueyu nodded and looked at the dripping rain outside the window:

"This year's rainy season, the scale and rainfall are not as good as in previous years."

"Yes, I have calculated that it has been 14 days since the plum blossoms began. According to the summary of experienced farmers, the later the plum blossoms begin, the shorter the duration will be."

The plum rains in the south of the Yangtze River are definitely a factor that cannot be ignored that affects the war.

The two of them were silent, silently thinking that it would be best for the rainy season to end within 3 to 6 days.

In this way, it is most beneficial to oneself.

If the rainy season has a long tail and lasts for a month, it will be troublesome.

"The army under my command is almost purely a firearms-based army. It must not go into battle when it rains heavily."

"Xian son-in-law, pure firearms are both an advantage and a disadvantage."

Li Yu sighed. There were still many shortcomings that needed to be fixed, not just this one.

He suddenly remembered someone and asked:

"Where is Huang Si?"

Guard captain Li Xiaowu immediately replied: "Lead troops to station in Wujiang County."

"Send for him to come to me."

"As ordered."

Huang Si, who was born as a government servant, was later moved to Pingwang Camp by Li Yu.

This man took a different approach, and his soldiers always fought in formation with cold weapons.

Hu Zhihuang once joked that Huang Si's military formation was like a tortoise shell, with a very stable temperament.

……

Li Jiajun has reached a consensus internally.

Attack Jiangning first, then Hangzhou.

Zhejiang's green battalion troops are sparse in combat effectiveness, but the Eight Banners garrisoned in Hangzhou are elite and possess a large number of firearms.

But as long as they dare to leave the city, the Li army will dare to attack the surrounding areas of Hangzhou from the sea.

This plan has been spread through the Miao Youlin Department stationed in Tongxiang County, Jiaxing Prefecture.

Presumably it will reach the ears of the governor of Zhejiang and the general of Hangzhou.

Forming a kind of strategic blackmail!

Before the Li Jiajun suffered a major defeat, the Qing troops in Hangzhou would be wary.

Moreover, under Li Yu's instruction, Miao Youlin quietly talked about peace with the Zhejiang government.

Commerce and trade exchanges, not active war.

If possible, some small areas can even be given up to improve the performance of officers and soldiers.

Regardless of whether it's useful or not, let's muddy the water first.

This is also in line with Li Yu's behavior.

……

Time is of the essence.

Lin Huaisheng planned the offensive on the western front, while Fan Jing was busy building the Jiangnan three-dimensional defense circle (inner circle).

Li Yu was not idle either. He wanted to accomplish a big thing during the break of the war.

The young men selected from each village have been training for some time.

The training camp is located in Dongshan.

It happened to provide an opportunity for students of the second infantry sergeant school to practice their skills.

Considering the large number of soldiers this time, there were more than 10,000 people.

500 armed militiamen and 20 artillery pieces were specially allocated and placed in conspicuous places to shock people.

Dongshan is surrounded by water on three sides and is a typical semi-island.

On the only road in and out, Wusimai's light cavalry temporarily moved to train equestrian skills, chop, charge, and respond accordingly.

After 7 days, progress was going smoothly.

The entire Dongshan seemed to have turned into a huge military camp.

Li Yu stood at a high place and watched the formation training and the rounds of matchlock shooting, which was barely enough.

"It's time to disband them."

"Wha, what?"

The listener doubted his own ears. Could it be that after spending so much energy and huge amounts of manpower and material resources to train these farmers, they were not ready to join the militia?

……

"I'm going to speak and call everyone together."

"As ordered."

Tens of thousands of people lined up in order.

Li Yu looked up and saw a vast expanse of darkness.

He frowned and whispered:

"Let them sit down where they are."

Officers from all departments immediately shouted orders.

After many days of brutal military discipline training, these people instinctively obeyed orders.

Only then did Li Yu, surrounded by his personal guards, stand on a two-foot-high hill of dirt, among the crowd, and it was just right for him to give a speech.

It is said that an art student will develop his speaking potential after failing the exam!

"Everyone, are you willing to join our Li Family Army?"

Most of the people present were silent and looked dissatisfied.

"Now there are two options. The first is to become a soldier, and the second is to become a liaison officer in the village office."

Buzz, there are discussions everywhere.

Tens of thousands of people whispered together, like bees exploding their nests.

What the hell is the village office? no one knows. Even the officers present were confused and exchanged glances with each other.

It wasn't until everyone turned their attention to him that Li Yu raised his right hand to signal silence.

"The world is in chaos today, just like it was at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The emperor was left with nothing but an empty frame. The governors from various places separated themselves and attacked each other. If it weren't for my Li family's army fighting bloody battles at the front, Jiangnan would have been over. Jiangnan is over, and so are you. It’s over.”

"But the army needs food and pay to fight. What should we do?"

"The gentry and merchants in Jiangnan must be made to pay taxes and grain!"

"The village office is set up in each village and is responsible for counting the number of acres of land owned by the villagers and urging them to pay taxes."

"And you are the village office liaisons that I, Li Yu, have personally appointed."

"To put it more bluntly, fellow villagers, you are now officials."

The whole place was quiet, everyone was captivated by Li Yu's speech.

The last sentence was like thunder.

Everyone showed excited expressions, as if pie had really fallen from the sky?

……

Li Yu suddenly shook off his cloak,

He asked loudly: "Do you want to be an official? If anyone doesn't want to, leave immediately and go back to farming."

The whole city was solemn and silent for a while.

Then he burst into a roar: "Think!"

Phew, that’s right.

Li Yu breathed a sigh of relief. The effect of his speech was good.

Strike while the iron is hot and throw out the most important things:

"You, as villagers, must know the population of each village and the number of acres of land, right? From now on, Jiangnan will pay taxes based on the number of acres, and so will the gentry."

"The book will be sent to you within 3 days. Are you confident?"

Li Yu pointed decisively at a man with a troubled expression and asked:

"You, stand up and tell me, what's the problem?"

"The little one is illiterate."

"It doesn't matter. There are two words for the official character. You just have to use your mouth. You can ask the literate gentleman in the village to write it for you."

After that, someone else summoned the courage to ask:

"Master Gentleman, what should we do if you don't accept it?"

This sentence speaks to everyone's heart.

Li Yu smiled and looked around.

He whispered to Li Xiaowu behind him: "Sign a signal and let the fort fire."

"As ordered."

……

Li Xiaowu took out a small flag and started to fly up and down to wave the flag.

On the hilltop 2 miles away, the commanding heights of the original Taihu Association station, the fort immediately signaled a response.

Li Yu drew his sword and pointed at a forest in the distance:

"Everyone, take a look."

Before he finished speaking, the four heavy guns on the fort fired one after another.

The effect of the cannonballs hitting the woods was astonishing. Tree trunks were broken and all fell down.

There was some chaos in the order, and the officers immediately pulled out their short sticks and smashed them over the heads and faces.

Li Yu looked down and said loudly:

"I have 1 such cannons. I have 80 such soldiers. If any gentry dares not to cooperate, report them to us. The soldiers will immediately enter the village to support you and chop off their heads."

Wow, the whole city is boiling.

This time, everyone showed crazy and excited expressions.

After they were quiet, Li Yu's face gradually became fierce:

"But if there is someone who reports the wrong number of books and wants to do a favor privately and help hide it, then don't blame me for being ruthless."

"If there are two people from a village, they will supervise each other. If there is only one person from a village, the people from the neighboring villages will help supervise."

"Anyone who reports meritorious service will be promoted to be in charge of two villages."

"Fellow folks, don't you still care about the friendship between the same villagers? You were kicked out by the whole village to serve as soldiers, and you are embarrassed to break up with each other? Are you born to be cheap? Huh?"

……

　Happy New Year, dear readers. In the new year, the author will continue to maintain stable and high-quality content output. Our goals are: to destroy the Qing Dynasty, expand, commercial colonize, and armed intervention around the world! Onboard~

　　

　

(End of this chapter)