Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 323: Magical combination, go to Beijing together to give the rich men some strength

The suburbs outside Chaozhou Prefecture,

When Laiji returned to his hometown, everything felt so familiar and cordial.

Grandfathers and fellow villagers are so kind. Although communication is difficult, the feelings are sincere.

and,

She also took a new girl from the Huang family of Chaozhou as a concubine to facilitate translation of dialects.

"Director Lai, have some tea!"

"Thank you, Grandpa."

Huang Taigong has age spots on his face and cloudy eyes, but his thinking is unusually clear.

Lai Er's new concubine is one of his many granddaughters. If it weren't for this relationship, he wouldn't have remembered that the granddaughter's name was Huang Zhaodi.

My black gauze hat will definitely not be saved, and my life may not be saved.

The province's top ranking in terms of money and grain turned in is because business is really prosperous and the ratio of commercial taxes to silver is large.

Laiji took a sip of kung fu tea and asked:
"Over there in Fucheng?"

From the collection of money and grain, we can see the good atmosphere. If other areas are in arrears, one or two government officials will go to the countryside to collect and arrest them, but in Chaoshan, it must be soldiers pushing cannons and carrying swords and guns to the countryside to collect!
First use artillery to bombard the villages that are in arrears with money and food, and then rush forward.

……

The clan leaders gave an order to kidnap the government servants who dared to go to the countryside to Shen Tang.

Huang Taigong said it with confidence and disdain.

Only then did they get some serious teachings. For example, how to aim, how to clear the barrel of the gun, and what is the appropriate distance.

The Chaozhou government remained silent.

The reason is very simple. If we want to be more serious, both parties will have to break up. Once the fighting starts, the government is not fully sure to suppress the rebels, and may be pushed back.

The territory of Guangdong has always been the stronghold of rebellion.

Anyway,

The strong young men of the Huang family in the village were equipped with a flintlock gun, and artillery was set up on the wall of the village. They were considered powerful.

A delicate balance, a fragile peace that no one dares to break.

now,

……

And this group of veterans from the 4th Army are well versed in the ways of business - it's not the business that matters.

Now that he has returned to his hometown, he naturally has deep connections, and heroes from all walks of life come to visit him one after another.

Once the arms race begins, it will only intensify. Either you will drag others to death, or you will be dragged to death by others. You can't stop at all.

"I sent someone to contact the foreign devils in Guangzhou. The letter was delivered. As for the result~"

……

"It doesn't matter, I will ask your Majesty to take credit for the Grand Duke."

Huang Taigong quickly raised his hands to the north to show respect.

It's not that the soldiers in Guangdong are ruthless, but if the army is not used, going to the countryside to collect food supplies is courting death.

Therefore,
The intervention of this group of people was not unconventional at all, on the contrary, it was welcomed. Being entertained with delicious food and drinks by the clan leaders!

Guangdong's land tax has always lagged far behind, and is on the same level as Yunnan and Guizhou.

Therefore, the clan could only give them some money privately, treat them to morning tea in the morning and drinks in the evening.

It's better to be the director of the Trade Department. After all, he is the chief official and can make his own decisions.

As for pretending to be blind, everyone fooled each other. At least the black gauze hat can still be worn. As for how long it can be worn, it depends on the ambition of each grandpa.

Not only do I want to earn your money, I also want to be your uncle!
When they teach the clan members how to use firearms, they hide and tuck everything, and their perfunctory and impatience is written on their faces, which is quite in line with the mentality of masters in this era.

The main reason is that he holds the only source of exotic arms and is backed by the powerful military industry of Wu State.

The slightly ambitious big families in Chaozhou Prefecture are buying arms privately and forming private armies.

His trip south this time was half open and half hidden under Li Yu's order, and he has been active in southern Guangdong for a long time.

Li Yu made him the director of the Trade Department, which was a nominal demotion. But he breathed a sigh of relief, because the deputy minister was really trying to catch a duck, and he couldn't do it well.

How to use firearms is not how to use hoes. Without correct instruction, these clan men may not be able to do it well.

"Don't worry, the magistrate's office is full of blind people. As a filial piety, I will give 500 taels a month, and the people below will also give some small pieces of silver, and pay half of the money and food. This will give the Tatar officials a lot of face."

Even though he is as shrewd and cunning as a prince,
We also gave up our vigilance against them wanting to seize power, and instead worried that they just wanted to get by without teaching any real tricks.

After all, the Huang family has more than 20 granddaughters, and there are five or six of them named So-and-die.

……

Lai Er has been working in Chaozhou for a long time.

On this trip, they also brought a dozen veterans from Jiangnan, who lightly intervened in the private armies of various local clans in the name of teaching how to use firearms.

"Grandpa, I am now half of the Huang family. That's why I help you all change into flintlock guns."

"I understand. We all remember this love."

Laiji actually didn't understand why His Majesty suddenly sold a batch of flintlock guns for 30 taels of silver each.

It wasn't until these people beat the flints bald and the springs lost their strength that they realized how unethical it was to make money from consumable parts!
Match ropes can be made at home. It may not be as resistant to burning, but it doesn't affect its use.

As for flint and springs, ordinary people will never be able to make them.

As for the risk of being counterfeited by interested parties. The problem of the Qing court has never been the problem itself, but "prevention of Han" and "adherence to self-improvement".

After Li Yu thought about it carefully, he felt that the advantages of selling flintlock guns outweighed the disadvantages.

In addition to making money, it can also cultivate user loyalty. The arms trade can easily be linked to Zhengji.

Buy my weapons and you will be mine from now on.

If you refuse my kindness, these weapons purchased with a lot of money will become scrap metal.

……

"Director Lai, are you selling brass cannons now?"

"Your Majesty said that the south is humid and copper cannons will not rust easily."

"I understand the truth, but why is the barrel of this gun square?"

"I don't understand either. According to people from the Ordnance Industry Department, this is called a hexagonal cannon, and it can shoot more accurately."

Although Huang Taigong couldn't tell what the problem was, his experience of eating salt for more than 60 years told him that it might not be that simple, and there must be something fishy about it.

A middle-aged man from the Huang family standing next to him quickly confirmed:
"Tai Gong, the young people in the clan fired three shots yesterday. They were really more accurate than before."

"Really? That's great. Director Lai, don't be surprised. He's getting old and can't keep up with the development outside."

Laiji really didn't know the deeper meaning of this.

Li Yu didn't intend to tell him, and only told Lao Zhangtou and his grandson the truth.

The purpose of developing six-edged artillery shells is so that the princes can only buy cannon shells from themselves in the future. Left alone, this cannon can only melt into the furnace.

Brass is used to make cannons because copper is softer than iron and easier to process.

Anyway,

The weapons prepared by Wu State for the local powerful factions in South China are all customized versions. This is the only one in the world, there is no other semicolon.

……

While the two were chatting, there was a noise outside the village.

Huang Taigong leaned on the dragon's head and whispered:

"Director Lai, everyone is here. Today's hero will respect you, please!"

Local clans, big families, pirates, Tiandihui, smugglers, and various forces gathered together.

Laiji was in high spirits and held hands all the way.

He walks with his head held high and full of aura.

He started with a harsh word:
“From now on, we have the final say whether there will be chaos in Chaozhou!”

Everyone was instantly excited, their blood boiling with excitement from these awesome words, and they felt quite proud.

Good days are coming!

If the Tatar officials and Tatar soldiers dare to push cannons into the countryside in the future, they will be killed.

Huang Taigong leaned on crutches and sat on one side with his eyes slightly closed. People are old and mentally weak.

While eating wine, he found an opportunity to tell his granddaughter:

"Zhao Di, you have to remember what your last name is. From now on, as a big family in our Huang family, you have to help me take advantage of it."

"Yes."

……

however,
Huang Zhaodi was brainwashed repeatedly by Lai Er's first wife, Lu Cuier, as soon as she came to serve tea.

Lu Cuier's family has been favored by Li Yu, and her loyalty is impeccable.

Both are women,

She gave Huang Zhaodi a stern warning: if you marry a chicken, follow the chicken; if you marry a dog, follow the dog; if the husband is prosperous, the wife and concubines will be prosperous; if the husband dies, the wives and concubines will perish. Since you are marrying into the Lai family, you must put the interests of your husband's family first and don't do anything like cheating.

Huang Zhaodi swore to God on the spot that she would always put her husband's family first.

Looking at the noisy and unfamiliar Huang family, Huang Zhaodi thought to herself:

"My name is Lai Huang, and my surname is Lai."

Lai Er's becoming the grandson-in-law of the Huang family was approved by Li Yu. Marriage is the simplest and most effective way to increase mutual trust.

Now, he can walk freely on Huang's territory.

It is reasonable and reasonable to deal with the children of the Huang clan, and no one is suspicious.

Lu Cui'er still appears as the accountant, and there is an account for the money and goods that come in and out. now,

She also has an additional identity, a secret agent of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who was developed by Concubine Yang herself.

Personnel stationed abroad are always the easiest to lose their firm stance, so beware. Developing pillow people is undoubtedly the best choice.

……

Suzhou Prefecture, thousands of miles away.

Under the shade of green trees, Li Yu and Liu Qian sat opposite each other, talking about Go.

Standing next to him were several personal guards and two key members of the Intelligence Agency.

"The situation in Jiangbei is important. If you don't take charge personally, I won't be at ease."

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty."

Liu Qian quickly stood up and knelt down, but Li Yu reached out to stop him.

"Relax, don't be so restrained. I want to transfer your people to the capital. Since the matter is serious, it must be someone with outstanding ability and loyalty."

Liu Qian was stunned, and the white chess piece in his hand failed to fall for a long time.

Li Yu knocked on the Go board and said with a smile:
"Liu Aiqing, are you lost?"

"Your Majesty, I forgive you. I am thinking about who should be sent."

Li Yu raised his eyes and looked at a short man from the Intelligence Agency standing behind him.

The short man's eyes suddenly lit up, and his heart was filled with excitement.

I only heard His Majesty ask:
"Are you Jiang Tianmu?"

The short Jiang Tianmu immediately knelt down on one knee:

"Meet your Majesty, the villain Jiang Tianmu, leader of the Yangzhou Operation Team of the Intelligence Agency."

"Well, your assassination of Qian Feng was meritorious."

……

Liu Qian quickly smiled and said:

"Jiang Tianmu is very skilled and has good martial arts skills. I recommend him to come to Beijing."

"That's right."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Director."

Jiang Tianmu was extremely excited. A smooth road was in front of him. All he had to do was to do things well in the capital.

We played Go again for a while,
Li Yu gently placed a black chess piece to block Liu Qian's white dragon.

"Your Majesty is strategizing, and I am ashamed of myself."

"Let's go, I'll let you two have lunch, and then you can rush back to Jiangbei. The existence of Hailancha's Jiangbei camp is like a fishnet in my throat."

Liu Qian quickly followed and whispered:

"I feel the same way! Hailancha is standing still, he is waiting for an opportunity."

"As expected of a Sauron with a background in hunting, he is very patient, and everyone admires him."

……

An exquisite but not extravagant meal.

The Acting Foreign Minister, Jia Xiaozhen, who was summoned to have dinner with him, praised:

"This meal can be said to be a combination of mountains and water."

Liu Qian was a little surprised, wondering why this guy was here.

Li Yu used serving chopsticks to pick up a piece of fish for each of them and said:

"Jia Aiqing, we will go to Beijing together this time."

Jiang Tianmu was stunned, hesitated for a moment and then asked boldly:

"Your Majesty, please forgive me, Minister Jia's pigtail~"

Jia Xiaozhen touched the back of his empty head and said jokingly:

"This minister is going to Beijing as a monk."

The atmosphere suddenly became relaxed. This plan seemed feasible and the only feasible one.

Liu Qian and Jiang Tianmu both wore pigtails because they were worried about the inconvenience of entering and exiting Qingtong District.

Between meals,
Li Yu emphasized the key to this mission.

At the same time, he also told the two people that they were thousands of miles apart and if the situation changed, they could make their own decisions.

Liu Qian was picking up his rice and asked abruptly:
"Your Majesty, are they conducting their operations in the capital separately or under unified command?"

……

Jia Xiao was stunned, and Jiang Tianmu quickly lowered his head.

Li Yu slowly swallowed the last mouthful of rice and put down the bowl and chopsticks:
"Jia Aiqing has the final say on the general direction. Xiao Jiang can decide on his own specific action plan."

"As ordered."

After dinner,

The three of them left together and first took a boat to land at Jiangbeijiao Xie Salt Field.

It has long been a stronghold operated by the Intelligence Agency for a long time. It is an earthen fortress with a cement core and is absolutely indestructible when encircled by less than a thousand officers and soldiers.

after that,

They will set off from Huai'an Prefecture and enter Beijing via the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. The first set of identities they prepare is that of businessmen and monks.

There were many inspections by the Qing government along the way, so the weapons carried were very limited. Most of them are short-handed muskets, and the barrel and body of the flintlock long gun are separated and carried.

With money to clear the way, in critical moments, the authentic handwriting of Wang Danwang, the governor of Zhejiang, and the forged handwriting of the General of the Eight Banners of Guangzhou could be produced to ward off possible ill intentions.

According to common sense, it's not a big problem.

This is very good for the junior staff in the Qing court. If the money is in place, nothing will happen. Moreover, the bigger the yamen is, the clearer the rules will be, and they will restrain each other in order to continue doing it for a long time.

The Intelligence Agency uses silver bullets to clear the way for daily tasks, which are easier to use than guns and knives.

……

This time, Jiang Tianmu took away 20 elite operators.

I also found Master Mie Kong who was begging for food in Jiangbei, and after some deception, the deal was concluded.

With just one glance, Jia Xiaozhen could tell that Monk Miekong was not doing well recently.

Except for Yangzhou City Chief Jiang Chun, no wealthy family in Jiangbei paid heed to the mad monk's unhinged suggestion.

What the gentlemen want is the blessing of the Bodhisattva, a long life and long life. To this end, you can build a golden body for the Bodhisattva and donate incense and money. As soon as you stepped on the horse, you suggested giving one or two hundred catties of copper coins to the poor people outside the city.

charitable? Dear mother.

Jia Xiaozhen was quite emotional and clasped his hands seriously:

"Master, you have lost weight."

Miekong was very proud, looking at the endless canal and said:
"Everyone in the world is a bastard."

Jia Xiaozhen nodded:

"You and me too."

Jiang Tianmu looked up in surprise, seeing that the two of them were actually calm and not angry, and continued to turn their backs and think about a plan of action.

"What does King Wu have to do with the poor monk?"

"Your Majesty said that he and you are actually like-minded. You are giving alms to the poor with your own efforts. He wants to save all sentient beings as an emperor. Even though the methods are a little drastic, the starting point is good. Master, please have a bowl of porridge. ? New pot, new rice, absolutely no meat or oil. ”

……

Miekong suddenly felt hungry and reached out to take the porridge bowl. There was a slight distance between the two. When he reached out, a dagger accidentally slipped out of his sleeve.

Danglang, fell on the deck.

Jiang Tianmu looked back, then turned his back and continued to wipe the flint-hair gun.

Monk Miekong calmly picked up the dagger, wiped it, and explained:
"Don't misunderstand, this is a magic weapon."

"Yes, yes, this is the great demon vajra in Buddhism, right?"

Looking at this shameless bald scholar, Miekong's mouth twitched.

Patiently explained:
"The poor monk must point out something to you very seriously. A knife held in the hands of a criminal is called a murder weapon. When held in the hands of a general, it is called a weapon. When held in the hands of a poor monk, it is called a magic weapon!"

"Master, what you said is correct. I'm just being shallow."

……

The tall Miekong continued to preach:

"The day before yesterday, I came to persuade a subordinate in Qingjiangpu to donate one or two hundred taels. He refused and scolded me very harshly."

"so?"

"In the evening, we met by chance again by the river. The poor monk used this magic weapon to help him achieve salvation several times, and randomly collected some scattered silver to refill the incense."

After finishing the porridge in a few mouthfuls,

Miekong still had some unfinished thoughts. A bowl of rice porridge was too little for his tall body.

"The poor monk feels that the strength of Buddhism is still too low. So the poor monk decided to accept your invitation and give some strength to the rich men in the capital."

Jia Xiaozhen quickly explained:

"The meaning is right, but you still have to pay attention to the method."

Miekong felt that chatting with this person was really boring, so he stopped chatting.

After meditating for a while, he suddenly opened his eyes and asked softly:
"Junior brother, is there any more secular food?"

……

(End of this chapter)