Win the Ding 1617

He rode his horse excitedly from the pier and rushed across the street, ignoring the people cleaning up the rubbish and stone slabs with brooms and water. Zheng Zhihu went down with a whip, and the four hooves of the war horse struck a trail of sparks on the bluestone slab. Behind them, more than a dozen personal soldiers carried firecrackers on their left shoulders and long knives on their right shoulders, looking majestic and majestic under the envious eyes of everyone on Xiamen Island.

This small cavalry team arrived in front of the Five Tigers Guerrilla General's Mansion, Zheng Zhihu jumped off the horse, and a soldier took the reins and tied them to the horse tethering stone. Naturally, Zheng Zhihu didn't care about this, he just walked straight into Zheng Zhilong's study with his head held high. .

"Big brother, big brother!"

"I went to Huli Mountain to view the terrain. It is really a good place to build a fort. If we set up a cannon there and build a fort, then the sea in this area will be covered by our cannon. Mouth! . . . "

He just kept chattering about his own affairs there, and he didn't realize that the faces of Zhilong and Zheng Zhibao in the study were not right.

"elder brother!"

It was Zheng Zhibao who stopped Zheng Zhihu from making loud noises.

"Something went wrong! Brother is in a bad mood!"

Zhihu was a little puzzled by Monk Zhang Er, so he asked Zhi Bao in a low voice, "What happened?"

Zhibao didn't say much, took a few pages of letter paper from Zhilong's desk, and handed it to Zhihu, "Look for yourself."

Zhihu took the letter paper suspiciously, unfolded one of them and began to read aloud.

"Brother, today I sent you [-] catties of wrought iron, [-] nine-turn steel spearheads, [-] firecrackers, and [-] iron and steel knives for my brother to use in training soldiers, horses, and ships. A few days ago Fifteen big fortune boats and seven small fortune boats that were dispatched to the waters of Wanyan Island have all been left behind by the younger brother, the younger brother's boat is sparsely populated, I hope my brother will forgive me."

Zhihu didn't pay too much attention to the fact that the lucky boat was detained, his eyes just stayed on the one hundred thousand catties of good iron and the spearhead firecracker and steel knife.

"This is a good thing! One hundred thousand catties of wrought iron. Five thousand spearheads. Five hundred each of iron steel knives and firecrackers, enough for us to change the guys in our hands for the brothers below!"

"That's not what it says."

Zhibao slowly explained the whole story to Zhihu.

That day, several small boat owners of Zheng Zhilong's gang had been coveting the wealth of the South China Army.However, due to the powerful firepower of the Nanzhong Army, they dare not make mistakes.It happened that several familiar businessmen asked them to go to Nanzhong for trade.Acquisition of goods such as grain, ironware, oil, cloth, etc.

Under the temptation of huge profits.Several small ship owners happily went there, and formed a large fleet to South China for trade activities with those Cantonese businessmen.

No, these guys are too greedy.The huge price difference between the industrial products (mainly ironware, cloth, sugar, etc.) produced in the Nanzhong Army area and the merchants in the mainland, Fusang, and Frangji still cannot satisfy their desires.Privately send people to redeem industrial certificates in the hands of farmers to buy various industrial products, not to mention, they want to leave without filing taxes?

"Then where can I get away?! All of a sudden people and boats brought goods, all of which were detained by Li Shouhan. I sent a letter to the elder brother, and the steel, knives and guns you saw are apologies, but people and boats They haven’t been released yet. A few small boat owners were still crying at Big Brother’s place just now, asking Big Brother to make decisions for them and get the boat, people and goods back.”

"Bah! I'm fucking Yi Niang! When they went to Nanzhong to make a fortune, why didn't they think of talking to elder brother? Now it's flooded, and they come to find elder brother when they lose the wind?! There are such cheap things in the world, Let them call me next time too!"

"Brother, I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing."

Zhihu's words immediately excited Zhilong and Zhibao, and the two brothers fixed their eyes on Zhihu's face together.

"Well, brother, I'm not a sister-in-law, so don't look at me like that, okay?"

Zhihu's joke made the dull atmosphere in the room burst into laughter. Following the laughter of the three, Zheng Zhilong's wife, Tian Chuan, brought seven or eight maids, with fluttering skirts and a gust of fragrant wind, for them. Snacks were brought.

Mille-feuille cake, Yanpi soup, Dili cake, etc. are all Fujian-style, sweet, salty, hot and cold. The three brothers did not say much, and each took a bowl.

After finishing the snacks, Zhilong put down the bowl in his hand, indicating that Mrs. Tian Chuan could go back with the maids. Mrs. Tian Chuan bowed to her husband and two younger uncles, and retreated with the maids. He didn't forget to gently close the door for the three of them.

"Which ship owners are they?"

Zhihu wiped his mouth and asked his younger brother Zhibao in a low voice.

"yes....."

Zhibao whispered a few names, all of them were small ship owners in their sea gang.

In the history of bandits, they are all a collection of various armed groups. Whether it is the general manager or the big leader, they are actually in a position similar to the leader of the alliance. There are also strong independent groups among the small armed groups. sex.If they agree, they will come and if they don't, they will go, and often the big bosses can't stop such behavior for the sake of their own reputation and showing off. (As for the relative independence of armed gangs, you can read a not-so-famous novel "Long Night" by Mr. Yao Xueyin, which describes the events of bandit gangs in Henan in the 20s. It is very true, because Yao Xueyin The old man personally experienced it. Many details in it were later used by him in the creation of "Li Zicheng".) The most obvious manifestation of this independence in modern history is the Nian Army. Without affiliation, even Zhang Lexing, who is known as the leader of the Nian Army, is only a convener and coordinator because of his prestige and calling on everyone to give him face.His military orders can only take effect in the yellow flag composed mainly of his Zhang family.

Zheng Zhilong's gang is no exception. Although they have accepted the recruitment now, everyone has official positions.However, many small boat owners still obey Zheng Zhilong's orders and obey them.

Unfortunately, these shipowners who suffered heavy losses were all at odds with Zhilong, and they also had an open and secret relationship with another pirate leader, Liu Xiang.

"It's a good thing! Li Shouhan cut the first knife for us. Why don't these guys die, I'm sorry for Li Shouhan!" Zhihu's face muscles twitched intermittently, looking a little hideous.

In June of the fifth year of Chongzhen, Zheng Zhilong, the guerrilla general of the Five Tigers of the Ming Dynasty, issued an order to send military officers at all levels above the headquarters to the guerrilla general's mansion to discuss the construction of the fort. , firearms, etc.

All of a sudden, officers above the general rank of Zheng Junzhong came to the general's mansion to report like ants, in fact.Things like building forts.From their point of view, it doesn't matter whether they repair it or not, it's Zheng Zhilong's business, but the knives, guns and equipment distributed after the meeting cannot be spared at all!

In front of the guerrilla general's mansion, people cheer and horses shout.Officers or on horseback.Or take a boat.They all came to the venue to report.

Not to mention the festoons and festoons in front of the mansion, it is also very lively, with people coming in and out from time to time.Carrying food, wine, meat, etc., it is obvious that not only will there be weapons and equipment issued after the meeting, but also a sumptuous banquet waiting for everyone.

"Captains! Please!"

Zheng Zhibao greeted the officers at the door with a happy face, still using the names they used when they were discussing life at sea, appearing very cordial and warm.

Several ship owners chatted with him all the way, and when they walked to the hall where the meeting was prepared, Zhibao stopped, "Everyone, my brother has an order, this discussion is of great importance, and those without official positions are not allowed to enter, Zhibao I can only send you here, please!"

Seeing Zhibao's solemnity, several ship owners had no time to think about it, and they were about to enter.But he was called by Zhibao again. "Everyone, the space inside is not very wide, so don't bring your personal companions and swords with you inside. Only the two brothers and the captains are inside, and Zhi Bao is serving food and tea outside. Please!"

Zhibao's words forced everyone to take off the swords around their waists and hand them over to their attendants. Of course, those who had a lot of heart and eyes winked at the leader of the attendants, signaling him not to stay away, even though they were all officials of the Ming Dynasty at the moment. Army, but people are ghosts and ghosts, who can tell clearly?

In the meeting hall, the four doors were wide open, and the wooden carved windows were all opened. A gust of breeze blew by, and the rolled up window screens swayed slightly in the wind. Brother Zheng Zhilong was in the hall with several ship owners who arrived earlier There was a lot of talking and talking about something enthusiastically.

This situation immediately made people give up their doubts. We didn't bring swords, and others naturally didn't, and there is no way to arrange swordsmen in this yard. Why am I afraid of him? !

"Everyone, today's meeting is to discuss the construction of forts in Hulishan and other places!"

Look at the fact that all the members of the Military and Political Department have arrived after the roll call. Zheng Zhilong, who is the commander in chief, is at the top of the post, and he clearly stated the purpose of this meeting.

"A few days ago, Zhihu surveyed the topography of the sea in Jinxia, ​​and felt that Hulishan was the most suitable place to build a fort."

Zheng Zhilong's younger brother, Zheng Zhihu, stood up at the gesture of his eldest brother, and told the ship owners the benefits and significance of building the fort.

"Dear ship owners, the location of Huli Mountain is very good. It faces Jinmen Island in the east across the sea, Zhangzhou in the south, and Gulangyu Island in the west. Forgive me!) and reflect each other from a distance, one set can control three directions. Then our army can rest easy in the sea area of ​​Jinxia. Once something happens, we can rely on the sea surface ships and the artillery fire of the land fort to annihilate the enemy ships together. "

After hearing this, I looked at a picture scroll unfolded by two maids on the wall, which showed the mountainous terrain of Huli Mountain; the ship owners who were still a little suspicious just now gradually put their hearts into their stomachs. It's just about building the fort, presumably it is to ask everyone to share the cost of building the fort, casting or buying cannons.

"Python Two!"

Some people in the crowd called Zheng Zhihu's nickname to show their closeness.

"It's a good thing to build a fort. Let's talk about how to repair it, how much labor and money will it cost, and how to raise money and food?"

According to Zhihu's design, this fort is a bit of a combination of Chinese and Western flavors. The semi-bunker style of Franji and the style of the Ming Dynasty's inner city blockhouses have been integrated together.The city gates, walls, towers, moats, soldiers' barracks and forts are skillfully combined in one place.

"The fort is built with granite strips, and it is rammed with camphor tree sap, charcoal, glutinous rice, and brown sugar mixed with sand, which is a popular compound soil in southern Fujian. If there is enough money and food, I plan to use burnt ashes and steel bars to repair the cannon. Build it! And build secret passages, build parapets, ditches, battlements, battle fields, ammunition depots, barracks, uniform rooms, official halls, stone ditches at the gates of the walls, hilltop watchtowers, roads, coasts, etc.

This group of military officers was born out of sea merchants.He is very familiar with business and ships, but he is not so touchy about civil engineering construction. He just instinctively feels that Zhihu's design is very precise, but the more sophisticated the design, the more often it means that The construction period is long and the cost is high.

When they thought about it, they asked, these guys had no scruples about Zheng Zhihu being the eldest brother of the guerrilla general Zheng Zhilong, and also his most capable general.

"How much is the construction period and wages?"

"Cutting out the rocks, opening up the path, and building the foundation. The soil is piled up. These things are done. In addition to the installation of various houses and artillery positions, it will take a year to a year and a half."

"My Lord!"

There was a Catholic who crossed his chest in an exaggerated manner, "This project is too huge!"

"Hao Da? Ladies and gentlemen, have you ever visited the earthen buildings in the mountains near you? They were built by generations of people after decades of cold and heat. Water, fire, and war cannot be violated, and the family's peace is guaranteed. This is a high price. But it is worth!"

Zhihu was talking about several earthen buildings in the mountains of Quanzhou, Zhangzhou. The buildings cannot be completed in decades.

"Therefore, the piled earth is a hill, and the top of the hill is concave to install the cannon. The earth hill is two feet five feet high from the top, two feet thick from the outside to the inside, and the slope is one foot to stabilize the site. The earth hill is one foot two feet from the inside to the outside. The ruler, except for the eight feet outside, which is not hollowed out, is left as a tired wall, and the remaining one foot and two feet are all placed in a hole next to the ground to make a barracks... The piled soil is used as a hill, so that the enemy's artillery cannot be destroyed, and the soldiers are hidden in the hole. The enemy's cannons cannot be hit, and the cannon positions are suspended high, so that they can reach far enough, and there is no danger of being covered by the gun smoke; the outside of the platform is only a protective wall, and if the enemy grabs the platform, it can be used as a ticket to counterattack and win."

After listening to Zhihu's talk for a while, not many people here understood, but most of them understood that this matter is similar to putting up a bamboo fence to prevent yellow dogs from entering.

"Marshal, we don't quite understand what the second marshal said, so just send a sentence, how much money do you share? How much labor?" An older ship owner who has followed Zheng Zhilong brothers for a long time as a representative Xiang Zhi Long expressed his opinion.

"I don't need to worry about the money and labor. My brother will take care of everything. I have called everyone here today. Apart from explaining about this fort, I have another matter to tell you."

"I was born in the sea, and now I have been recruited, and I am an officer of the Ming Dynasty. Not to mention our current status as an officer, even when we are at sea, we are not allowed to act without authorization. If there is a violation, how should we deal with it?"

Zheng Zhilong's cold voice after Gao Jushuai's case seemed to come out of a thousand-year-old ice cave, icy cold and biting.

Even people who have nothing to worry about will feel uneasy after hearing this, not to mention those ship owners who harbor ulterior motives.

Just when everyone's heart was beating like a little rabbit, there was a soft sound of footsteps outside the door, and Zhibao, who was taking care of the diet and tea outside, came in with a smile. Following his steps, a series of blood beads beeped. Tick-tock spilled on the ground.

"Whoosh!"

One thing was thrown straight at the feet of a ship owner!

"what!"

Everyone was stunned, it was a head that had just been beheaded!It was the personal leader of the ship owner!The muscles on his face were still twitching, and the lips that were still twitching vaguely seemed to be trying to say something.

"Master! What does this mean?!"

Seeing this, the captain simply took courage and risked his life.

"What do you mean?! You guys sent boats to Nanzhong to buy ironware, firearms, gunpowder and other things without authorization. Did you ever have my general order?!"

"Regardless of your status as officers and soldiers, you hooked up with the pirate leader Liu Laoxiang and often sent messengers back and forth. I thought that everyone used to make a living at sea, so it was inevitable that you would have a little bit of love, so you turned your eyes and closed your eyes, and you became more and more serious. How presumptuous! How dare you sell the gunpowder, knives and guns that I issued to Liu Laoxiang without authorization?!"

"It doesn't matter if you send a ship to Nanzhong for trade without authorization. I think you are to support your family and send the brothers below a way out, but why do you want to destroy the law of the Nanzhong Army? Sneaking and smuggling?! The Nanzhong Army detained your ship and wrote The letter told me that I just found out about this matter, what are you planning to do? Cut off the source of everyone’s weapons and gunpowder? Or cut off everyone’s source of income? Huh?!”

A series of questioning made many military officers in the meeting hall feel the same hatred.yes!The trade route to Nanzhong does not belong to a few of you, it belongs to the whole group.If everyone's business is ruined because of the actions of a few of you, who will bear the blame? !

At that moment, the captain who was less courageous couldn't help kneeling on the ground with a plop, "Marshal, spare me! Marshal, spare me!"

"When I was young, I was confused by the lard. A Jiangxi businessman came from the north and said that someone was inquiring about the refined salt in Nanjing. There was also where the South Railway that Li Fengjie, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, brought into the capital came from. Willing to pay a high price for the purchase, the young one has a large number of sailors, and the military salary is insufficient, so the young one has to pay for it by himself. After a long time, it is quite a loss. When I was confused, I went to Nanzhong for private trade with them. I wanted to make some money. So I can make up for the brothers. I don’t want to offend the South Central Army, and I am willing to accept the military law.”

There are also those who know that they cannot escape the murderous hands of the Zheng brothers.He kicked the guy kneeling on the ground fiercely, "You spineless thing! I didn't see you think you were too fat when you were eating meat, and today you are here begging him for mercy! Do you think their brothers can Can you spare us?!"

Zhi Bao led more than [-] soldiers holding ropes and stood behind several ship owners, "Today, no matter whether it is military law or gang regulations, you are all doomed to die. None of the wives and children of the ship belong to you, and the other one is to leave your whole body, the commander is kind and generous, so that your wives and children will be rich in food and clothing in the future. Choose yourself!"

Zhibao's words were like a heavy hammer, knocking open the last line of defense of these people.

"Boom! Boom!"

From time to time, the sound of firecrackers came from outside the hall, which made everyone in the hall startled. Zheng Zhibao, who was dressed as a scholar in Taoist robes, took a handkerchief and wiped the blood on his hands, "Don't panic, everyone! It is the execution of rebel soldiers who intend to mutiny."

Only then did everyone calm down a little, and turned their attention back to the several ship owners who had been tied up.

Some people saw that they couldn't stand it, so they opened their mouths and asked Zheng Zhilong, "Marshal, just now the fifth master said that you can choose yourself, how should you choose?"

very simple.If he persists to the end, not only will he die under the knife, but his ships, family property, and tribesmen will all be confiscated, and even his wife and daughter will be thrown into the camp of prostitutes for the sailors and soldiers to vent.As for the son, he must accompany his father to meet the Dragon King of the East China Sea.

"My brother has the virtue of being good at life, and he can't bear to do this, so he left a way out for them. As long as they write a pleading and a confession, explain the ins and outs of the matter, and plead guilty to the law; then not only can the family be saved, but also the annual maritime trade in the future will be saved. They still have their share of the income."

"Zheng Zhilong! Zheng Yiguan! You are so ruthless!"

There was the captain wailing in despair, the flames in his eyes seemed to burn the brothers of the Zheng family to death, but for the sake of their family members, they had no choice but to ask for death.

"Where do you go to write a pleading?! Write a confession!?"

Several clerks were invited to the meeting hall, set up a low table in front of everyone, wrote down the disrespectful military order for them in front of each ship owner, went to Nanzhong trade without authorization, and privately sold arms with Liu Xiang gang crime statement and confession.

After finishing writing, they recited it in front of a group of officers to make sure it was correct. Zheng Zhibao's personal soldiers came over, dipped the blood from the beheaded head, dipped the fingers of a few captains, and pressed down on the pleadings and confessions.

Afterwards, a group of personal soldiers rushed in and dragged the ship owner, who was limp on the ground like a pool of mud, to the outside of the chamber, strangled him to death with a cable.

"Everyone, this matter is over, let's talk about the distribution of those swords and guns?"

Zhilong had a pleasant smile on his face, but it made everyone shudder.

"Follow the command of the commander-in-chief, go forward without hesitation!"

"Follow the command of the commander-in-chief, go forward without hesitation!"

Everyone fell down and bowed down one after another, shouting incessantly.

Zheng Zhilong still had a smile all over his face, "Brothers, please, we are all people who go through life and death together, so why be so polite."

"Yes! My brother specifically instructed that someone came from Nanzhong a few days ago and brought forty orchids from Tianzhu. During the banquet when I was young, I asked them to sing and dance for everyone to toast. After the banquet, you can take them back Let them serve one or two."

The officers had just seen someone else's feet step into the gate of hell, but now they are drinking and eating, with the enchanting Tianzhu orchid in their arms, it suddenly makes people feel that everything is in a dream.

Several pleas and confessions were sent to Hue a few days later.

When Zheng Zhibao met with Shou Han, he was very polite.

"My brother is very regretful about this misunderstanding, and has already executed the subordinate who caused the accident."

"Hey! Brother Zheng is strict in running the army. I'm ashamed to defend the Han!"

Shou Han cupped his hands and bowed to the north, and Zhi Bao hurriedly got up to return the salute.

After the two of them exchanged polite manners with each other, the topic began to enter into the real purpose.

"My brother appointed Zhibao to come here this time. Apart from pleading guilty, he also has a few other things to ask for."

"Brother, it doesn't matter, as long as brother Yu can do it, go in the water, go in the fire, go in the fire."

"We plan to buy some burnt ashes and nine-turn steel rods. They will be used to build houses. In addition, my brother recently received an order from Mr. Xiong Xiong on the peak, and will soon start a war with Liu Xiang and others. Therefore, we plan to buy a batch of large and small artillery pieces. and gunpowder, etc. I wonder if the brothers in the South China Army can support one or two?"

Buy burnt ash, nine-turn steel bars.It was for the purpose of building the Hulishan Fort and buying all kinds of artillery and gunpowder, which were installed on the fort except for fighting against the Liu Xiang gang at sea.Used to watch the house.this point.Shouhan has obtained confirmation from the secret reports from the Statistics Office and the Business Intelligence Office.

but.Starting a war with Liu Xiang, these few words made Shou Han feel that something was about to happen, but he couldn't remember it.For a moment, I wanted to beat my head in annoyance.

"Shuai Li. Shuai Li?"

Zheng Zhibao was a little surprised to see the changing expression on Shou Han's face. He was afraid that there was something wrong with Shou Han, so he couldn't help questioning Shou Han in a low voice. "Is the tiger unwell? Do you want to ask the doctor to take a look?"

"it's okay no problem."

Shou Han waved his hand, indicating that he was fine. "It's just that there are some things in my mind that I can't figure out for a while, and I feel a little dazed."

Picking up the teacup and taking a sip of hot tea, Shou Han regained his composure for a while, but couldn't remember the matter related to Liu Xiang for a moment, "Forget it, I don't want him anymore! Maybe he will show up by himself at any time." coming!"

He turned to Zhibao, "My dear brother, tell me, how much ashes, steel rods, and gunpowder do you plan to buy? What kind of artillery do you want?"

"For the ashes, it is said that a barrel is two hundred catties. I plan to buy five thousand barrels first. If the goods are complete, I will transport one thousand barrels back this time. As for the steel bars, as long as Li Shuai is willing to sell them, how many of our brothers will buy them?" All willing."

"Brother, to tell you the truth, in fact, using wrought iron instead of steel rods has almost the same effect. Liu Xiang and his like's artillery fire can't help you. But the cost is saved by at least [-]%. You can use the saved money to Wouldn’t it be better to bring more gunpowder and various artillery back?”

Inside the words, Shou Han clicked, you bought ashes and steel rods to build the so-called houses, but to deal with Liu Xiang and the like.

"As for the cannon, I suggest that you bring a few more eight-pound cannons back home. I will give you twenty shells and a barrel of gunpowder for each cannon. The price is three thousand silver! Besides, here are some newly minted A few [-]-pound cannons have a fairly good range, and you can transport them back and place them in the high places of Taiwu Mountain in Jinmen and Xiamen to ensure that the sea is safe."

Zhibao's heart trembled, it seemed that the news about his plan to build a fort had leaked out.But I don't know where it came from!Go back and check it out!

The two sides also reached a consensus on further deepening trade activities and reducing the living space of maritime forces other than the two sides.

Zhibao didn't mention the blessing boats detained by the guard, and neither did the guard.

"My dear brother, if your fleet is not enough, I can deliver it to your door. I don't know where to send it?"

Shou Han was on the pier and held Zheng Zhibao's hand very sincerely.

Watching barrels of ashes and gunpowder being sent into the cabin by the official slaves and Japanese laborers, Zhibao was quite moved. He came to do business without persuading the buyers to exchange the high-priced items for the low-priced sellers. Han has set a precedent, and those wrought irons can be sent back for more uses.

"If the soldiers under Li Shuai's command are interested, they can visit Liaoluo Bay in Kinmen, and I will be there to welcome guests."

"Damn it!"

Seeing a little fan shadow disappear, Shou Han suddenly woke up like a dream, and finally remembered the incident related to Liu Xiang!

"Naval battle at Liaoluo Bay!"

This is something that determines the power of the Dutch and the future of Zheng's Offshore Group. How can I not get a share of it?

"Order everywhere to step up the monitoring of the movements of the Dutch in Batavia and other places, as well as the movement of Liu Laoxiang who is in trouble with the Dutch. I want to know what they ate five days ago and which woman they slept with. How many guns are there on board, how many times each gun has been fired, and how much gunpowder needs to be loaded!" (To be continued...)