Qing Dynasty Secret History

Chapter 48

Speaking of which, Ruan Futai heard Chang Geng's discussion, and sighed: "We live in the deep yamen courtyard, and the situation at sea, how could we know, let alone the censors of the Procuratorate."

Chang Geng said: "Master Du was originally a scholar, and I have no time to argue with them if he made some sarcastic remarks. The Marshal is Chang Geng's direct boss, as long as the Marshal is willing to make decisions for me, things will be easy."

Ruan Futai said: "It's all about the state's affairs. Who should do their best and who should not! Tell me clearly what you want, and I will always do my best."

Li Changgeng said: "The most important thing to suppress pirates is the warship. The warship is the city wall of the officers and soldiers, the camp of the officers and soldiers, and the chariots and horses of the officers and soldiers. If the ship is strong, it will be brave in battle, strong in defense, and strong in pursuit. Hurry up, it will be strong when charged. There are not many boats in Zhejiang that are suitable for use.

When the commander-in-chief is willing to fulfill his promise, he will write a book, ask for tens of thousands of money, and hand it over to Chang Geng's first-hand manager, then he will be rewarded a lot. "

Ruan Futai said: "For the shipbuilding, the superior has already assigned Yidi, if we ask for funds to build another building, is it possible that Yuyidi will lose face?"

Chang Geng said: "Excuse me, Marshal, is the country more important? Or is Yidi's face more important?"

Ruan Futai said: "Could it be that not one of the boats built by Yidi can be used?"

Chang Geng said: "What else does the commander-in-chief not know, that kind of materials were sent abroad, and the lives of officers and soldiers were all lost by him. How can we still start a war?"

Ruan Futai said: "Let's not use the money from the officials. Let's donate some money to build a few ships. Wait until the thieves are defeated, and then think of another way. What do you think?"

Chang Geng said: "The commander-in-chief did his best, it really is wonderful. It's just that the thieves have been very serious in building ships and buying guns in the past few years. The ships we build must be better than the thief ships, otherwise they will still be useless."

Ruan Futai said: "Do the thieves also build ships? Which ship merchant will build them for him?
You tell me, I have the ability to seal up his factory bureau, manage his craftsmen, and confiscate all the ships made. "

Chang Geng said with a smile: "Which one of the ship merchants in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces does not build one or two ships for the thief, if we find out, they can no longer do this business. The thief's plan is more clever than a ghost, and he If you don’t order it yourself, you have colluded with profiteers, spent time abroad, and only said it was a merchant ship. As soon as it was exported, people were sent to the Yamen to report it as a robbery, and the merchant ship suddenly became a pirate ship. What will the government do with him?”

Ruan Futai shook his head and said, "There is really no way."

Chang Geng said: "There is one more level, as usual, the salaries for land and water soldiers are only paid for three months, which is also a big disadvantage."

Ruan Futai hurriedly asked: "Where is the harm?"

Chang Geng said: "Looking for a needle in a haystack depends entirely on chance. When the opportunity comes, you can't miss it for a moment. If you miss it by one day, even if you spend another year or so of work, it will be useless and useless."

Ruan Futai said: "That's the truth.

Brother, you can't do your best, but you can still be a little bit in charge of the small things of paying, so how about paying it every six months? "

Chang Geng thanked him: "It's all thanks to the commander in chief."

Although Ruan Futai was a student in the library, he admired Chang Geng very much.After Xi dispersed, he invited officials and merchants of the city to persuade them to donate within their means.For my own outfit, I first donated a year's worth of support.

Ascending a call, all the mountains responded, and in an instant, more than [-] silver was written on the donation book.Ruan Futai was overjoyed.The next day, he invited Chang Geng to the office and showed him the donation book.Everything is as long as money!When Chang Geng received this money, he immediately became very ambitious and worked hard, rushed to Fujian, ordered [-] large ships, and cast [-] cannons for each ship.

The name of this large fleet is Ting Chuan, sailing through the waves like flying.The first time I went abroad, Cai Qian, the first thief, was almost captured.

In March of this year, Cai Qian went to Dinghai to make incense in Putuo.Just when the boat was hidden, the crowd shouted together, and thousands of crossbows were fired at the same time. Cai Qian was unprepared, lost many soldiers, and fled.Chang Geng sent an order to pursue and ride the wind and waves, galloping day and night.After chasing to Minyang, I saw Cai's thief fleet, only three or five miles away, four hundred cannons, all of them opened up, and the continuous bombardment was coming, only to beat the thief's canopy and masts.Cai Qian was so embarrassed that he hurriedly sent someone to Yude, the governor of Zhejiang and Fujian, to beg for a surrender.Governor Yu believed it to be true, and immediately sent Xingquan soldiers to prepare Dao Qinglai to Sansha Haikou to appease him.Cai Qiandao: "If you allow me to surrender, please transfer the Zhejiang division first. Li Titai is in the upper hand, and it is very inconvenient to travel."

Qinglai reports back to Governor Yu.Governor Yu issued an order ordering Chang Geng not to leave Hong Kong.As a result, his success was on the brink of failure, and Cai Qian had to escape calmly.

Li Changgeng won three out of three battles and only captured six pirate ships.Withdrawing troops and returning to Zhejiang, talking about war is very embarrassing.Ruan Futai persuaded him again and again, and Chang Geng said with great emotion: "Chang Geng has been greatly favored, and with a small body of seven feet, he has already put it aside. If a thief doesn't kill me, I will kill a thief. It's just that if he is indulged this time, he doesn't know how much the country will be wasted. Money and food, how many lives are lost to soldiers!"

A few months later, a shocking report came, saying that Cai Qian cooperated with Guangdong to steal Zhu Xi, and even (Zhou Zong) more than 24 ships invaded Fujian.Hu Zhensheng, the commander-in-chief of Yuzhitai, led [-] navy ships to invite the attack, but Cai led the fire and burned the whole army.Chang Geng stomped his feet when he heard the news.

Suddenly, the imperial decree was reported, and an incense table was hurriedly set up to welcome him.The imperial envoy stood on it, and read out: "I submit an order, Li Changgeng, the admiral of Zhejiang Province, became loyal and brave, and forgot his life to die for the country. After two years in the army, he was unable to enter the door, and he gave away his family's wealth by donating shipbuilding equipment. In order to reward meritorious deeds, the old soldiers strive to die. They take the lead and take risks repeatedly. In March, the bandits Minyang were besieged, Cai Ni was besieged, and the firearms, tiles and stones rained down. Thousands of soldiers are only afraid of Li Changgeng's words, which are actually the crown of the navy generals. Li Changgeng was appointed as the president of the navy, and all the Fujian and Zhejiang naval forces were envoys. I admire this."

After sending the imperial envoys, the civil and military capitals of the whole city came to congratulate them.At that moment Ruan Futai also arrived, and upon meeting, he said, "I don't congratulate you on being the president, but I'm very glad that the imperial court got a general."

Chang Geng said modestly, "I dare not".Ruan Futai smiled and said: "Don't be too modest, if you don't dare to be a general in the naval towns, who would dare to be a general?"

Chang Geng said: "The commander-in-chief doesn't know, the higher the official, the heavier the responsibility, and the more people are jealous, I don't know how to deal with things in the future."

Ruan Futai said: "Brother has always been strategic, now that he is in power, he is at his fingertips, and he can make a big use of it. If a high official is timid and always afraid of things, it will be a disservice to the court's kindness."

Chang Geng said: "The commander-in-chief's lesson is that Chang Geng didn't dare to be afraid of things, and only relied on his heart and strength to repay the imperial court.

"

After Ruan Futai left, Chang Geng issued a letter ordering the naval divisions of various towns in Fujian and Zhejiang to practice day and night and wait for dispatch.A plan was made at that time, so that the two towns of Haitan, Wenzhou, would be the left and right wings, follow the army, and specialize in suppressing Cai Ni; the towns of Kinmen, Huangyan, Dinghai, and Taiwan would each guard their own Hong Kong, and when the president pursued the bandits to the border, they would send troops to support them.The deployment was decided, but it was reported that Cai Qian and Zhu Wei had joined the bandits and had already entered the Dinghai surface.Chang Geng sent an order to all the ships in the headquarters to stockpile food and wash cannons, and they will leave the port overnight.With this order, all the generals of the navy immediately became in a hurry, loaded food and set up guns, and took care of themselves.

It was already the time of the first shift, Chang Geng led the soldiers, sacrificed to the God of the Sea, and ordered Qi Ding to pull up the canopy and sail out of the port.But seeing the bright moon in the middle of the sky, the waves are as flat as a mirror, the water and the sky are the same color, and there is no cloud in the sky.Like dozens of black dragons bathing in the sea, the large army fleet rushed eastward through the waves.After only driving for a whole day and night, we have reached the surface of the Dinghai Sea, where we can hear the sound of artillery bombardment from a distance.Chang Geng said: "That's great, the battle is going on ahead, hurry up!"

After another trip, the masts and masts of the pirate ships were densely covered like a forest.From what I have seen, it is estimated that there are about a hundred warships, lined up in a line, full of smoke and gunpowder, and the battle is going smoothly.Dinghai Navy, seeing that they are going to be defeated, all the generals are afraid.Chang Geng said: "Pirates have been robbing frequently, and there is a mountain of real goods in the ship. Everyone has worked hard to make ideas, and if you break him, you will never be able to enjoy it for a lifetime.

"Everyone heard that everyone wanted to make a lot of money, and their courage was immediately aroused. Chang Geng held the command flag in his hand and set sail straight up. Seeing the approach, he waved the command flag, and hundreds of cannons fired together. Immediately The water roared and smoke rose, and the bombs flew up. Cai Qian was unprepared, and fired two cannons early on the boat. The wind blows away the smoke, and Li Changgeng's flag is exposed in the moonlight. Cai Qian was shocked and hurriedly ordered the cannons to return. Lei Zhen, cannons and locusts flew, and the battleships of the two armies were tossing and falling in the turbulent waves, one after another fighting. Chang Geng passed down an order, ordering the left and right wings to focus on Zhu Wei, and the warships in the headquarters to focus on Cai Qian. Fengpeng, riding on the sudden waves, rushed over. Hundreds of guns were fired, and ten thousand crossbows were fired, splitting the pirate's long snake array into two sections. Cai Qian couldn't resist, turned the rudder and fled. Chang Geng ordered After chasing, arrows and cannons fired continuously, and the sound was like piercing pearls. Cai's thief's two auxiliary boats had long since been smashed into holes by shells, and they could not sail and sank into the sea. Cai Qian was flustered and hurriedly ordered Gabon to speed. Hitting on the peng rope, it broke with a bang. The pendant lost the rope, just like a horse without the rein, how could it be able to ride! At this time, Cai Qian’s boat was lying in the sea, oscillating with the waves The thieves threw themselves into the sea one after another, and Cai Qian shouted: "My life is over! "

Before the words were finished, suddenly there was a roar of wind and water, lightning and thunder, and a downpour of rain rolled straight from the cape.The waves stand upright, the whales and crocodiles are excited, and the officers and men's warships are shaken, unable to control themselves.Chang Geng urgently ordered to return to the port, but Cai Qian took advantage of this moment to take the rope and set sail, and escaped. Chang Geng was very angry.In the winter of this year, Cai Qian gathered hundreds of bandit ships and invaded Taiwan, and sank the boat at Luermen to block the way of officers and soldiers, and joined bandits to attack Fucheng. mean.Renzong was shocked, and hurriedly ordered General De Leng Taipei of Chengdu, the imperial envoy, Guan Fang, and dispatched [-] soldiers from Sichuan to go to the suppression. General Sai Chong'a went to the army together as a counselor.Just as he was about to set off, he suddenly received a good news, saying that the false king of Zhenhai, Cai Qian, had been defeated by Li Changgeng, the president of the navy, and the entire territory of Taiwan had been wiped out.Renzong was overjoyed.It turned out that Cai Qian's shipwreck blocked the port in Taiwan, and none of the officials in the southeast did not lose their color in fear. Li Changgeng laughed when he heard it, and said to his subordinates: "Cai Qian's move is really a moth to the flame, and his life is for nothing. Let's not go out. , this great achievement will be taken away by others. If it is taken away by others, will we still have the face to face others? Our navy is the number one in the world, Taiwan is a part of Fujian, and Cai Qian is the president's exclusive suppression People like you, who have such a good opportunity, just let it go, will you be ashamed?"

Everyone said: "Cai Qian has occupied the land, has taken the title, and has a great momentum. How can the commander say that he flew moths into the flame and killed himself?"

Chang Geng said: "Taiwan's situation, Luermen is an important port. But besides Luermen, there are also Nanshan Port, Beishan Port, and Anping Port. Now that he has filled Luermen himself, we don't have to guard this route. We only need to Go to Nanshan and Beishan, and then send another army to attack from Dagang around Anping Port, catch turtles in the urn and search for fish in the net, I am not afraid that he will fly into the sky. Isn’t this Cai thief himself? Pout, because there is no place to block the vast ocean.

Now that you have voted for this Jedi, you can't even escape. "

Everyone is relieved.At that time, he dispatched troops to set off, and Chang Geng personally guarded the important points of the northern and southern Ershan. He also sent [-] small Peng boats under the command of Xu Songnian and Wang Delu, and attacked from Anping Port.Sure enough, the flag was victorious, and the success was achieved immediately. Five battles were fought in a row, and the thieves were killed, crying, and fleeing to nowhere.Traveling by land and water, using both boats and vehicles, Cai Qian was forced into Beishan Port and besieged on all sides, just like a beast falling into a well and a bird of prey in a cage.It seems that there is no strategy left in this plan, and all the generals will use their lives, so it is not difficult to succeed in one fell swoop.Unexpectedly, before the water is full and the sky is not tired of chaos, a hurricane will arise, move rocks and sand, shake mountains and trees, overturn and float all the sunken boats at Luermen, and wash them all clean.Cai Qian led the thieves and ran away from the door.The officers and soldiers chased them desperately, but only captured more than a dozen pirate ships.

Cai Qian, the thief's head, was still escaped by him at ease.Chang Geng sighed: "What happened this time, if Commander-in-Chief Yugong of Fujian was willing to help me and sent hundreds of sailors to guard outside the Luer Gate, Cai's bandits would have been captured long ago. There are only [-] soldiers in our headquarters, and we have to search and suppress. Defensive, it's really not counting dispatches."

Everyone said: "Grand Yu was born as a young man, and there are some people who don't see this."

Chang Geng said: "Sure enough, it's fine if you don't see it. Look at what he did, it's very jealous. It doesn't matter if you hurt me, but it hurts the court and the people.

The person I need, he wants to transfer; I want to build a ship, but he refuses to play.You can always see that Cai Ni's boat is five or six feet higher than us.After all, the size of the ship is cheap, and the speed is high.If our boat was as tall and as big as him, we would have chased him long ago. "

The crowd said: "The Holy One lives deep in Jiuchong. I don't understand the situation in the sea. Why doesn't the commander make a statement?"

Chang Geng said: "Yu Zhitai is a banner man. In the past, Chai Daji made such great achievements. He was named an earl and served as a counselor, and he finally became popular. You even lost your life."

The crowd said: "Going to Shengming today can't be compared to the pure temple. The commander is afraid of trouble, and he is afraid that he will be punished."

Chang Geng saw that his argument was justified, so he asked the staff of the battalion to do the copywriting, and drew up a memorial, which said: Cai Ni failed to wipe out the captured ones, because the supply of military ships did not stop.The boat on which the minister was on was the largest compared with the towns, and it was five or six feet lower than Cai Qian's boat.The ships of the other towns are even less.Zeng and the generals of the three towns are willing to pay Sailian in advance and donate to build the No. 15 big ship.The second town of Haimen team altar is also willing to donate NO.15.However, the governor said that it would take several months to build the ship, and he borrowed as much as 5 to [-] taels, and refused to play it.Moreover, pirates have no ship that will not be repaired for two years, and there is no material that will not be damaged for a year. If the mast and rudder are broken, the ship will be useless, and if the windbreaker is damaged, it will be difficult to move an inch.

The rebels escaped at Luermen, and there were only thirty boats left, which were rotten and lacking in salt.Once back to Fujian, put up awnings and wash, look brand new, enough food and medicine, when will the thieves be wiped out?

After the publication of this chapter, only one month later, the imperial decree came down, dismissed Yude, the Governor of Fujian, and punished him in Beijing.Jian gave a new name to Zhitai, named Alinbao, who was also a bannerman.

The only way is to help each other in the same boat, and from then on, we can handle border affairs with one heart and one mind.Unexpectedly, a crab is not as good as a crab.As soon as A Linbao took office, he did not do other things, so he worked hard and tried to get Li Changgeng out.During the ten-month period, it was very dense and sparse. Someone reported to Chang Geng long ago and told him to take precautions.Chang Geng said with a smile: "Xinzhitai is really too serious, why bother! Even if Yugong was dismissed, I didn't have any prejudices. At that time, I paid homage to Ben, but I just confessed to myself. Xinzhitai regarded me as a bad person. wrong."

The crowd said: "In ten days, if you read the book three times, the commander-in-chief must guard against him all at once."

Chang Geng said with a smile that there is no need.Everyone asked why, Chang Geng said: "Everyone, don't ask, just watch."

A few days later, when the imperial edict came down, it made a noise for Alinbao, and the gist said: "Alinbao has been in office for ten months, and is dedicated to going to Changgeng. If I believe his words lightly, I will not lose myself." Good general! Chang Geng will be responsible for suppressing thieves later on. If A Linbao avoids success, Yude will be a lesson for him! He will also build [-] Datong Ansuo ships and hand them over to Chang Geng. . This is it.”

All the generals under Chang Geng were amazed when they saw this decree, and they all went to Chang Geng to take the boat and asked why.Chang Geng said: "This matter is very easy to guess, we have been doing things here for three to five years, and we have served as supervisors and commanders in succession, and we have never said a single bad word about us.

Ah Shuai has been here for less than a month, and he has read three of my books. Could it be that all the previous handsome men are not as bright as him?Besides, if you are too impatient, your superiors will be suspicious.So I say don't be on guard. "

Everyone admires it.

Suddenly it was reported that A Zhitai sent someone to write a letter, Chang Geng called in, opened the letter to have a look, there was nothing else, but invited himself to enter the office for a drink.After giving the man a reply, he went to the banquet in a sedan chair.

Alinbao stepped down to greet him, and he was extremely polite among the polite.When the wine was half drunk, A Linbao stopped his glass and asked Chang Geng with a smile: "Master Li, I have something to discuss with you.

"Chang Geng said: "The commander-in-chief's order, Chang Geng must obey it carefully. "

A Linbao said: "When will you be able to catch fish in the sea?"

Speaking of this, Chang Geng's eyes were destined, so he stopped talking.Chang Geng said: "Chang Geng is stupid, handsome and profound, and he still asks for clear instructions.

A Linbao said: "I'm talking about things in the sea." "

Chang Geng said: "Cai Ni repeatedly condemned him because the officers and soldiers refused to be united. If the Fujian and Zhejiang naval divisions did not distinguish between borders, the sea and territory would have been peaceful for a long time."

A Linbao said: "I'm afraid it's not that easy. I think there is no proof anyway. It's better to get a fake Cai Qian and kill him, and then send it to the brother's yamen for inspection. Brother will immediately file a report. In this way, How many right and wrong disputes can be saved. The thieves outside can be included in the aftermath case. President Li, you can also receive a reward, and I can also receive a second meritorious service. Isn't it better to fight for life in the waves? President Li, my method is nothing more than a plan for you. Do you think it will work or not?"

Chang Geng said: "Master Duo Meng is perfect, but Chang Geng can't do anything about Shi Sanbao and Nie Renjie. I'm sorry for disappointing the kindness."

A Linbao said: "President Li Xiu is too stubborn, and the sea is extremely dangerous."

Chang Geng said with emotion: "Chang Geng has received great kindness, he has long regarded ships as cottages, no matter how dangerous he thinks, he will not dare to be timid, and vow to die with the thief and not live with the thief.

A Linbao said: "It's rare for the president to be so loyal and brave!"But the brother's move is nothing more than caring for the soldiers. "

Chang Geng said with a smile: "The soldiers have been greatly favored, and the country will suffer greatly.

"A Linbao changed his face and said: "So, the country depends on the president alone?" "

Chang Geng knew that he had slipped his words, he hurriedly got up and thanked him.

Xi San returned to the ship and informed the generals.The general Wang Delu said: "Originally, the platform was made to shame itself. The commander-in-chief's words are very dignified and decent. The platform is also a lesson for nothing."

Qiu Lianggong said: "Thank you for rejecting him, if you agree, you will be fooled by him."

Chang Geng hurriedly asked why.Liang Gong said: "We have made a fake Cai Qian, and we have found a way to make the stage. Why don't we play a special chapter."

Wang Delu said: "This man's mentality is really too bad. I think it will be normal in the future."

Chang Geng said: "It doesn't matter if it's bad or good, as long as we can treat the court and the common people, we don't need to worry about others."

From then on, Li Changgeng, together with the generals in the navy, repaired ships, repaired equipment, washed old ones, made new ones, and paid attention to all the necessary requirements, such as puffy masts and rudders.By October of this year, everything was ready, so I chose a day to go abroad to search for pirates.All ships, large and small, sailed in full sail, skimming the waves, as fast as an arrow.Searching for the sentry to the ocean of Guangdong, he met the pirates and attacked bravely. He sank two pirate ships at once, and captured the first thief alive. His name was Cai Tianfu, who was Cai Qian's nephew.Taking advantage of the victory and pursuing the attack, they rushed to Daxingyu, killed Cai Qian and invited all the generals of the Dazhuan Ministry back to Ding. Chang Geng said, "I didn't expect to survive this time when I sent troops."

It happened that Zhang Jianbi, the admiral of the Fujian Navy, also led the ship, so he invited him to chase Cai Qian together.After chasing for three days, on this day, I chased to Heishuiyang and saw Cai Qian. There were only three sea boats left.Chang Geng waved his flag and shouted loudly, all arrows and cannons were fired, and in an instant the windshield of Cai Qian's boat was knocked down.Chang Geng rushed forward with his boat, ordered the soldiers to throw gunpowder bags, and set fire to the wind.All the soldiers cheered happily, they thought that the extermination of the bandits was just around the corner, but unexpectedly, the cannon on the stern of the bandit's boat suddenly blasted a bullet, it flew straight towards Chang Geng's throat, he couldn't dodge it in time, he was shot and fell down.If you want to know how your life is, let's listen to the next chapter.

(End of this chapter)