Lin Gao Qiming

Chapter 2079 Cooperation with Shipping Company
"Is there still someone using the brains of the joint logistics ship?" Xi Yazhou was a little surprised.The prestige of the Fubo Army can be regarded as thunderous in Guangdong after the Pearl River Estuary broke into the battle.This time the troops marched all the way, and many towns and villages were waiting for the wind to surrender.Don't dare to say anything if you don't have enough food.

"That's right." Hong Huangnan nodded, "There aren't many people who rob us and send them to our death, but they often steal when we're not prepared." He said that most of the people who robbed were Dan people. It is a group that the government cannot control. "As you probably know, Danhu belongs to the untouchables and has been discriminated against for a long time. There is a huge gap between the government, the gentry and even ordinary people. So, 'the legal awareness is extremely indifferent'."

After a while, a soldier came to report that a small boat had sneaked into the anchorage, and after being spotted by a sentinel, he shot, killed one person, and captured a small boat.

"Look, this is the routine." Hong Huangnan said helplessly, "It doesn't look like it has much technical content, but it's hard to guard against."

Most of the thieves are a few people driving a small boat with melon skin, using the cover of night to sail quietly to the moored ship, and taking advantage of the unsuspecting guards, they pull a few bags of goods from the cargo hold and leave.Insufficient lighting at night makes it difficult for sentries to observe, which often leads to theft.

No torches and lanterns were lit on board—it was easy to catch fire, but the number of lanterns was insufficient to ensure sufficient brightness, which gave opportunities for theft in the dark.

"...Our sentries shoot at anyone they see, but they are very sneaky, and they often succeed. Although the loss is not big, I feel unhappy."

"This kind of thing is unavoidable. It is the military trains in the old time and space. Some people still steal the trains. There are also people who gather to rob the military trains." Xi Yazhou said, "To be honest, they stole a little food and took away a few sets of quilts. It doesn't matter, the key is that our weapons and ammunition cannot be lost."

"Such a thing has not happened yet. But in the future, our military transportation will be frequent, and there is no guarantee that similar things will not happen." Hong Huangnan said, "Now we carry out separate transportation of ammunition and weapons. Although we cannot completely prevent loss, at least we can The consequences are minimized."

"So we still need to suppress the bandits." Xi Yazhou said.Along the way, in fact, the military pressure is not great. The focus of all aspects is on "security". "How about the bandits on the Xijiang and Beijiang rivers? Do you understand?"

"Water bandits are like hair." Hong Huangnan said, "And the situation is complicated."

The water bandits on the Beijiang River of the Xijiang River are mainly water bandits named Xu, Zheng, Shi, and Ma from the Dan family.And it can control many Danjia boat people that affect the Xijiang Beijiang River Basin.It can be called monstrous power.

"Basically, those who work on a large scale in this business, no matter whether they are from Danmin or not, must attach themselves to one of these four surnames and pay tribute on time." Hong Huangnan said, "Those who work in boat households must also pay tribute to them, otherwise they will be The end of the ship wrecked."

The period when the Fubo Army regained Guangzhou and pursued the victory in the Pearl River Delta was the "golden years" of the water bandits. flee everywhere.Not only did the water bandits enjoy an unprecedented "gluttonous feast": every time they attacked, their children returned with rich treasures.Even the boatmen who carried the fugitives made a small windfall openly and secretly.

"...When we first arrived in Sanshui, there were corpses everywhere on the river and on the tidal flats. They all ate the wonton noodles. The water bandits made a fortune, and the boatmen were jealous, so they grabbed it first. The guests are here. Those who don't follow will be thrown into the river—the hearts of the people in troubled times..." Hong Huangnan shook his head while talking about the past.

However, after the Fubo army arrived in Sanshui, the water bandit activities in this section have decreased sharply.This is not only because the joint logistics ships are strong and well-guarded, but more importantly, because of the war, merchants stay at home and the circulation of personnel and goods has also stagnated. "Safari" on the river, at best, can only rob a few fishing boats or ferries, not much profit.

"...Although their activities have decreased, their strength is still there. Once they are incited to become 'political bandits' and launch a water attack on us with a purpose, our escort force will be stretched."

The current vigilance of the joint logistics material transportation is mainly dispatched from its own guard force and the Pearl River dispatch fleet of the navy.Generally speaking, a fleet of one or two armed medium-engine or small-engine boats can guarantee the safety along the way.If you encounter sporadic water bandits, you can drive them away with a few shots.But the guard force is not strong.

"It seems that it is still necessary to start suppressing bandits as soon as possible—" Xi Yazhou said. He remembered that Hong Huangnan had mentioned earlier that a garrison headquarters under the command of joint logistics should be set up along the line of the military depot to uniformly undertake the bandit suppression and Escort mission.Avoid the situation of poor communication and unfavorable cooperation that will inevitably occur in the counties along the river.

Hong Huangnan said: "It is best to recruit some natives who are familiar with the situation on the river to suppress bandits along the river. The headquarters should come up with a specific policy. As far as I know: the situation on the river is very complicated. There are not only professional water bandits, Fishermen, day laborers, and boat owners are also in the 'grey area'. Murder, robbery and theft are part of their daily life. How to grasp the scale must be carefully considered."

Then Hong Huangnan introduced the situation of his current supply fleet.In addition to some standard ships transferred from Hong Kong by the United Logistics, the transport ships currently sailing on the Xijiang and Beijiang rivers are mainly ship owners' ships confiscated on the spot in Sanshui.The movement of ships is minimized.

For supplies to the Dongjiang River Basin, the joint logistics used ships confiscated in Guangzhou-Guangdong boat households, mainly concentrated in Sanshui and Guangzhou.Both places have a large number of transport ships.

"So in terms of ships and sailors, we have no shortage. But as I said just now, these people have been in the 'grey area' for a long time, have not been reformed, the old habits are very heavy, and discipline is also very difficult."

"How much is the shipping fee for you to use their ships? Is the funds sent to you enough?" Xi Yazhou was a little worried.

"Commander Xi, I'm a recruiter, not an employee," Hong Huangnan said.

The cost of confiscating ships is nothing more than the daily rations consumed by the sailors and helmsman and the cost of materials for regular repairs to the ships.In addition, joint logistics is free.

"If you do this, the boatmen are still not jumping?"

"Jump? My expropriation can be regarded as extremely preferential treatment." Hong Huangnan disapproved, "Da Ming also confiscated ships, and that was called 'nailing' - send someone to take official documents and nail them to the board of your ship, and you will be released from the emperor. Let’s go. Don’t mention the freight, you even have to prepare your own rations. If the ship sinks, it’s the boat owner who thinks it’s unlucky. It’s not uncommon for the ship to be destroyed and people killed if they are caught fighting.”

"You are worse than..."

"This is a rotten world. I won't say anything else. Now the shipping on the Xijiang River and the Beijiang River has almost stopped. The boats of the boatmen will rot even if they are soaked in the water. Even if they don't pay wages, at least the boatman and helmsman will have to pay for it." There is a bowl of porridge to drink—this is all expenses. The real money goes out. Now he transports the goods for us, at least the boatmen don’t need him to support them. If the ship breaks down, we will repair it for him. In case the ship is damaged, We will also pay compensation. These few items are already benevolent policies that have not been seen in hundreds of years."

"How about Funato, do you want to cooperate?"

"Very cooperative," Hong Huangnan said, "The biggest boat owner here is Chen Hongyi. Thorpe passed by Sanshui when he was traveling to Xijiang as a staff officer, and this shopkeeper Chen even gave him a banquet." He said with a smile , "Of course the banquet is for the accompanying Jin Yiwei, but ah, Boss Chen always thought that Thorpe was a big shot in the capital, but when he heard that he was actually a 'knife thief', his jaw nearly dropped."

"Otherwise, people would call him Soho." Xi Yazhou said.

"Since he found out about this relationship, Chen Hongyi suddenly became very active. Not only did he keep asking me to help him contact Thorpe, but he also kept sending things for me to forward, 'respect' Thorpe."

"He's really good at clinging!"

"Why not!" Hong Huangnan shook his head, "However, it is impossible to sail a boat on the West River without a bit of wrist."

"How are you?"

"A typical feudal old man," Hong Huangnan said, "has a lot of eyes, a strong guard, a patriarchal style, and a sense of loyalty. But he is ruthless."

"It's really expressive."

"Want to meet? His family lives outside Sanshui County, not far from here."

"It's not necessary," Xi Ya said, "How many ships does he have?"

"There are more than 140 boats, and there are almost 2000 boatmen and helmsmen. They are considered to be a tyrant on the Xijiang River. The work is very reliable. Although there are not many people who are literate from top to bottom, they really have a way of transporting goods, transporting grain and supplies. No matter how complicated the arrangement, the type, the quantity, etc. are communicated verbally, there are very few mistakes.”

"Traditional industries have their own unique skills." Xi Yazhou said, "I am assured of the ability of this kind of people. However, since ancient times, there have been no good men and women in the dry boat business. 'If you are innocent in a car and boat shop, you should be killed'―― Those who make a living among them are not good lords. If you requisition their ships now, you will naturally have to use their sailors, so be careful that they harass the people under false pretenses."

"I will pay attention to this." Hong Huangnan said, "Not long ago, all kinds of heroes made a fortune on the Xijiang River, and Chen Hongyi's subordinates must have a part in it."

"I would find it strange if I didn't have a share. But this is a thing of the past. We don't blame the past. In the future, you have to pay close attention to it-your own team must be slowly established. The joint logistics cannot always rely on the navy ship."

Hong Huangnan raised his eyebrows slightly: "Commander Xi, you are right. Inland waterway shipping is a heavy task, complicated and highly professional. It still requires a dedicated team to manage it."

　PS: Section 265 of Volume [-] - Guangzhou Governance will be updated tomorrow

　　
　
(End of this chapter)