Great Qing Dynasty talker

Chapter 74 Ma Zhongyi: I suspect that Li Yu is going to rebel

On a normal day, bandits would never dare to mess with an official ship, and would take a detour if they saw it.

It is the consensus of the water bandits not to rob official ships.

Because it will provoke crazy revenge from the government, which is not worth it.

But now, it's different.

Fang Captou looked around from time to time, a little nervous.

Late at night, the fire on Sanshan Island soared into the sky and could be seen from more than ten miles away.

Of course, the spies and clippers of various water bandits also saw this.

A feeling of sadness over the death of a rabbit and a fox filled everyone's minds.

Both the fighting faction and the fleeing faction felt that they must not fall into the hands of officers and soldiers.

Many people began to make preparations.

Send your belongings and family members away first and go to Huzhou Mansion to avoid the limelight.

Leave the strong ones behind and board the ship to fight guerrillas near the nest island.

A small group of officers and soldiers will carry them to death.

If a large group of officers and soldiers comes, run away quickly.

It would be better than having the Sea Dragon King blocked in front of his home by officers and soldiers and beating him.

When it comes to ship speed and sail control, the water bandits are better than the officers and soldiers.

Because driving a boat is a job for officers and soldiers, but it is a job for bandits to drive a boat to survive.

There's a big difference.

……

Ma Zhongyi soon started to go crazy.

As soon as 20 warships arrived at Sheshan Island, the water bandits became violent.

I chased him for three hours until I couldn't see any trace of the water bandit's ship.

On the way back, we encountered another group of water bandits.

the same alsp.

In the telescope, the water bandits looked like they had been stung by wasps.

Throw everything in the boat into the lake, fill up the sails, and run for your life.

After chasing for an hour, a small sampan was captured.

On the sampan were some broken silver, wine and meat.

The water bandits deliberately put it down to slow down the officers and soldiers.

Sure enough, around the sampan, the Green Camp soldiers started fighting.

One person also drowned.

Shi Linglun was angry, but helpless.

Ma Zhongyi glanced at him sympathetically and sighed.

He is not an imperial examination official, and he will not say stupid things about Confucianism.

As a child, his father taught him.

If you don’t have money, you can’t lead an army!

Those things about loving soldiers as sons and being loyal to the emperor are all nonsense made up by Confucian scholars.

Before setting off, move a box of silver.

Clearly, how much silver can one person get from Kaiba?

When you get to the battlefield, tell them how much silver the reward will be for cutting off a head.

If he died in battle, how much money would his family get?

After this battle, cash in immediately.

Kill a bunch of cowards and reward a bunch of conspicuous bags.

Those who get there first must be promoted and set an example.

Then reward them with wine, meat, and women.

If there really isn't any, just allow them to do it themselves.

The remaining meritorious ministers will be reported to the court and replaced.

If you do all of the above, you will be an excellent general.

There is no need to think about military strategies and the like below the level of the commander-in-chief.

"Vice Admiral Shi, please send someone to the island. There will be some oil and water."

"The last will obey."

Shi Linglun's position was very upright and he would never quarrel with this Han Eight Banners civil servant.

The battle report had to be written by someone named Ma.

For three consecutive days, the main fleet of officers and soldiers returned without success.

Except for catching a few stragglers, old and weak water bandits, there were almost no other gains.

I copied 6 islands, but I gained something.

Although it's not much, it's still pretty good.

There was no danger to his life, he could still make some free money, and he had food and wine every meal (which the water bandits couldn't take away in time), so it was a good life.

……

Morale is gone.

Everyone was as happy as if they were on vacation.

Green camp soldiers are all versatile, they can cast nets, cook, gather wild fruits, hunt, fish, and even sing opera.

Make life on the island enjoyable.

300 years in advance, the farmhouse project was developed.

"Vice General Shi, prepare to retreat in the next few days."

Ma Zhongyi looked at the highest point of Sanshan Island, overlooking the entire island.

"The last will obey."

However, Shi Linglun has a big regret.

Although all members of the Sea Dragon King were wiped out, the body of the Sea Dragon King himself was not found.

When interrogating the prisoners, some said they saw him being shot, while others said he disappeared after falling into the water.

Whether he lives or dies is difficult to say.

After all, Taihu Lake is so big, the corpse might have been carried away by the tide and fed to fish and shrimp.

In the end, the two decided to take credit.

A body that had been burned by fire was carried to the captives.

Finally, under the reminder of the whip, these prisoners identified that this was the body of their elder brother.

Make a mark and press your fingerprint.

He was escorted back to the Yamen Prison and beheaded on the spot after waiting for the court's approval.

The mighty fleet returned.

On the way back, Ma Zhongyi suddenly remembered something.

Why didn’t Capt. Fang come back to his life?
He was escorting a shipment of gold, silver and jewelry, and he was supposed to finish the job a few days ago.

Could it be that he just returned to Fucheng so carefree?
……

Ma Zhongyi was a little panicked, with an unknown premonition.

In Xukou Town, local gentry held a welcoming ceremony.

He reluctantly attended and boasted about his achievements in suppressing bandits.

Hundreds of heads, emitting a foul stench in the summer.

After the banquet, he hurriedly rode straight to the government office.

"Meet the Master."

"Without courtesy, let Mr. Fang come to see me."

Menzi was stunned and said something that made Ma Zhongyi's eyes darken:
"Didn't Tou Fang follow the army to suppress the bandits? I haven't seen him for several days."

Ma Zhongyi composed himself and returned to the study.

Close the door and stare at the paper in a daze.

In the evening, Liu Lu also hurried back.

Brought back bad news:
"Sir, shopkeeper Liu of Huitong Bank said he hasn't seen Mr. Fang in the past few days."

"I see, you can step back."

Liu Lu didn't dare to say anything and closed the door carefully.

When he reached the second hall, his waist straightened up.

"Hey, Mr. Liu. I have a pack of Wuyishan Dahongpao. You can keep it and drink it."

"Master Liu has lost weight recently. Here is a box of old wild ginseng. You can keep it to replenish it."

"Master Liu, my sister hasn't seen you for several days and said she misses you."

A pass through the horse is like a spring breeze.

Liu Lu took it casually, but he didn't give him a good face.

People have self-knowledge.

Ma Zhongyi is in power, and he is Master Liu.

If Ma Zhongyi collapses, this group of people will immediately change their tune and call themselves "fools."

……

Go back to three days ago.

Taihu Lake was calm, and an official ship was sailing slowly.

Suddenly, two fishing boats appeared on the right.

Fang Baotou, who was in charge of the escort, immediately became nervous.

"Brothers, be careful."

"Boss, it's just a few shabby fishermen, they're fine."

"Put it on, what fisherman would rather die than come out to fish at this time?"

He is worthy of being a head catcher, with clear logic and quick thinking.

Everyone reacted quickly and picked up their swords and guns.

After a moment of burning incense, the distance between the fishing boat and the official ship was even closer.

"Get out of the way, this is an official ship."

A yamen servant stood on the bow of the boat and shouted loudly, holding a bow and arrow.

On the fishing boat, several men in shabby clothes immediately nodded and bowed.

Quickly rock the oar and change direction.

The officer pretended to raise his bow and arrow in a threatening manner.

The fishermen immediately rowed desperately and acted timidly.

One of them actually fell into the water because of fear.

In the eyes of everyone on the official ship, they burst into laughter.

The tense atmosphere was gone, and even Fang Captou felt that he was too nervous.

When we get ashore, go to Shuyu Tower to relax.

……

The official ship continued to move forward and passed by an old fishing boat.

An accident happened.

A spear, thrown like magic.

The officer holding a bow and arrow on the bow of the boat was directly pierced and fell into the water.

"Kill the officers and soldiers."

A few tanned "fishermen" took out weapons from the deck.

Holding the long pole, he stepped back and accelerated the pole vault, and landed on the official boat.

Fang Captou secretly screamed, so he could only draw his saber and start fighting.

The water bandits were brave and good at fighting, and the weapons they used were more suitable for melee combat on the deck than the sabers of the government officials.

The three-pronged fork can jam the saber.

With another twist of the hand, the knife was released.

People kept screaming and falling into the water, mostly government officials.

Captain Fang was wearing official boots and complained secretly.

There was water on the boat and it was very slippery.

His fighting movements were severely distorted, and he almost hit a water bandit's fork.

"Hehehe, brother. We are rich."

A water bandit opened the lid of the wooden box and shouted loudly.

"This is the Lord Prefect's ship. Do you know what the consequences will be?" Although Fang Baotou sounded arrogant, he was actually desperate in his heart.

The official career is over.Life is over.

"You officers and soldiers are so cruel. There are so many people on Sanshan Island. I'm afraid not one of them will survive?"

"It is only natural that officers and soldiers kill thieves." "It is only natural that thieves kill soldiers. Kill him."

……

After a few back and forth, Fang Capt's head was injured and he abandoned his knife and jumped into the lake.

The water bandit leader laughed loudly:

"Go down a few people and fish this coward out for me."

In terms of water properties, the Taihu water bandits really have no one to fear.

Several men laughed and jumped into the water.

He held his head and thumped for a while, drinking Fang Baotou half to death.

He dragged it aboard with a fishing net and threw it on the deck.

"Oh, he's still an official."

"The gold and silver on this ship are the Sea Dragon King's savings, right?"

Fang Captou's eyes were out of focus and he kept spitting out water.

"If you don't tell me, forget it. Let's treat him to some noodles."

"okay."

A short, lean man pulled out a kitchen knife from behind.

Calling it a kitchen knife is actually quite far-fetched.

Because the blade is arc-shaped, the back of the blade is very thick.

Anyone who carries a knife like this is not a good person.

……

The man pulled Fang Baotou's arm, stepped on it with his foot, and raised the kitchen knife.

"Look, there's a big ship."

Everyone was stunned and quickly looked forward.

A large ship without a flag was approaching quickly.

"Brother, are you an enemy or a friend?"

"I don't know. It doesn't look like an officer's boat, but more like a canal boat."

"Walk boats? Water boats never go to Taihu Lake."

The gangsters had a sense of luck, hoping that they would be a teammate.

Even if it's not a bunch of hair, it doesn't matter.

Let's share half of it when we meet. You can't eat alone.

The big ship was getting closer and closer, and no gongs were sounded or cannons were fired.

According to the experience of water bandits, officers and soldiers like to make big noises from a long distance away.

The water spewed out from the gunfire.

"Brother, I'm afraid this ship is not a ghost ship, it's very evil." A bandit's teeth chattered.

"How can ghosts be so poor? Today, it's time for us to make a fortune, so we picked up a boat for nothing."

The eldest brother is different, he speaks well.

He stood up and looked towards the ship.

Behind the side of the ship, several people suddenly stood up and raised their matchlock guns.

……

As soon as they met, three water bandits were killed with muskets.

The big ship was in a commanding position, making it easy to fight.

In a short time, the lake was filled with corpses.

Boss Hu poked his head out with a smile.

Suddenly, the smile on his face froze:
"Damn, you're in trouble."

He saw a corpse, wearing official uniform.

Looking again, there are many more tools.

There was another person on the boat who seemed to be alive and was waving desperately.

"Help."

This was the ship sent by Li Yu. It happened to be cruising here and encountered this fight.

The waters of Taihu Lake are vast. If there hadn't been this fight, Fang Captou's boat would have slipped through.

Boss Hu, Huang Si, and Lin Huaisheng stood on the deck with their own thoughts.

And Fang Baotou, who was stunned and weak, could not hide the panic in his eyes:
"You guys, whose side are you on?"

Lin Huaisheng said: "Of course we are officers and soldiers."

Huang Si remained silent, pressing his hand on the handle of the knife and never letting go.

Mr. Hu was sweating profusely, his eyes flashed fiercely for a while, and then wandered for a while.

"Help me, I will tell Magistrate Ma the truth about your contribution."

Fang Shaotou spit out a few more mouthfuls of lake water and sat up with support.

His eyes were looking around.

On the vast white lake, there is no shadow of a boat.

Lin Huaisheng spoke:

"This person has a grudge against the military advisor and our Weig Hall."

……

As soon as this remark came out, the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Huang Si took a step back and slowly unsheathed his knife.

Mr. Hu looked around at these people.

On the big ship, everyone in Weigtang held their matchlocks at an angle and looked this way.

Some of his people were looking at themselves, and some were looking at their teammates who were fighting side by side just now.

Lin Huaisheng said coldly:

"Kill him and no one will know."

Huang Si held the knife and said carefully:
"If we don't kill him, we won't be able to tell him if he goes back."

"With so many lives and so much gold and silver, do you believe in him or us?"

"Who can testify for us that we did not kill these people?"

President Hu was sweating so much that he could even hear the sound of sweat beads falling on the deck.

Suddenly, he drew his knife and shouted viciously:
"If you dare to go against my brother, kill this thief."

Lin Huaisheng smiled, a very rare smile:

"Let's go together."

Each person struck Fang Baotou with one knife.

Hu was holding the knife in his hand, and suddenly remembered something, and shouted towards the ship:

"All my soldiers, come here and chop each one with a knife."

……

He finally figured out that the best thing in this situation was to kill and silence him.

Then he quickly left the scene. Taihu Lake was vast, and God would not bear witness anyway.

Moreover, he and Ayu are sworn brothers.

According to the bad folk rules of the Qing Dynasty, the priority of sworn brothers was even higher than that of officials and gangs.

If a petty official releases his sworn brother secretly against the king's law, if word of this spreads, the world will often praise the petty official.

Or maybe a member of a gang breaks the gang rules in order to sworn brothers. Although he will be severely punished by the gang rules, the others will still praise him in private, saying that this person is extremely righteous.

Many people are puzzled and criticize this as being unprincipled and abandoning private interests.

In fact, this is not the case, they just ignore human nature.

Because whether it’s the government or the gang, it’s all in the interest of the group.

Loss or not has nothing to do with the individual.

And maybe one day, he will be the one in trouble. Who doesn't want a sworn brother with a strong sense of loyalty to fall from the sky?

Therefore, this phenomenon must be celebrated, greatly celebrated.

And those who over-advocate group interests.

Maybe it’s because I was still young, I believed in books, and I wasn’t beaten up by society.

It may also be that he is stupid and puts himself into the role of "Old Yan Ge, Minister of Zhao" and mentally steps into the role of a prince or general.

There are still a few that are really good or bad!

……

Fang Captou's body no longer looked human.

His death was the certificate of submission that everyone accepted for Li Yu.

Killing officials and rebelling are just one step away.

"Move the boxes and sink the ship."

Lin Huaisheng gave the order and then returned to the ship.

Everyone knew the seriousness of the matter, destroyed the evidence in the shortest possible time, and fled quickly.

The corpses will slowly float to other areas with the current.

This case became an open case.

All the gold and silver were sent to Lijiabao, and when the limelight passed, rewards would be given based on merit.

These people all understand Li Yu's character and know that they will not treat them badly.

Smiling, he joined the main fleet and went to Xukou Town for a meal of wine and meat.

……

The suppression of bandits is over.

This is the time to sum up experience and take credit and receive rewards.

In the excerpt, Ma Zhongyi described the twists and turns of the bandit suppression in Taihu Lake, which was very exciting.

However, the Spring and Autumn writing style was used to mention the progress of the big fish hidden in the south of the Yangtze River that Qianlong was concerned about.

Ingeniously led to the collusion between secret gangs and local subordinate staff groups.

Because this is the suspect he thinks is the most reasonable.

The emperor was suspicious and made his own judgment on all major events in the world.

Last year's Qingshui Sect Wang Lun's uprising in Linqing, Shandong Province ended too hastily.

Qianlong concluded that Wang Lun's was just a chess piece pushed in front of the stage.

Behind the scenes, there must be a bigger rebel leader.

Unfortunately, they were all killed by a wave of Sauron cavalry, cutting off the clue.

Although many ministers in the court felt that the emperor was overthinking, but based on subsequent history, Qianlong was right.

He is a very smart emperor, and his ministers understand this very well.

Qianlong never really trusted any of his ministers, not even his Manchu relatives, even his brothers.

He is a mean and ungrateful emperor, sitting on the dragon throne coldly.

Whether they are untouchables in Guizhou or high-ranking officials, they are all his pawns.

Ready to use, ready to throw away.

Ma Zhongyi closed his eyes and meditated for half an hour.

Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead, and the words "accompanying you like a tiger" swayed back and forth in his mind.

……

"Your Majesty, I did my best."

In his memorial, he mentioned the emergence of clandestine gangs in the Jiangnan area.

This is a vaccination to prevent being held responsible in the future.

It doesn't matter that Fang Captou is dead. It's insignificant.

He is currently weighing candidates to see which side is the most sincere.

It is said that people's hearts are separated from each other and cannot see how sincere the other person is.

Ma Zhongyi will not be troubled by this. In his eyes, this sincerity deserves to be praised.

For example, Huang Si, the leader of the express team in Yuanhe County, gave away 1000 taels of silver, and Zhao, the leader of the government's arrest team, gave 500 taels.

Huang Si's sincerity is twice that of Bantou Zhao!
The same goes for measuring the feelings between men and women in the world.

At least, that's what many people think.

The news brought back from the market by the slave Liu Lu also praised Huang Si for his diligence in public affairs.

He told the story of his arrest of a gangster in Cang Street in a more embellished way.

Ma Zhongyi nodded frequently, expressionless, and waved him away.

Someone called Huang Tongpuan.

When they met, he asked very directly:

"Weigetang Li Yu, is it possible to kill an official and rebel?"

……

(End of this chapter)