1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 1119 Seeing is believing
Haihan has been engaged in the introduction of immigrants for so many years, so he naturally knows which method is the most convincing. For these Ming officials who deal with Haihan for the first time, even if they talk about it, it is impossible to completely dispel all kinds of doubts in their hearts. The most effective way is to let them truly see Haihan's actual operation in immigration.

Sure enough, Shen Shikui was very moved by Xie Li's suggestion, and after hearing the words, he asked, "When can I go?"

"You can do it at any time." Xie Li continued to suggest, "If not, Mr. Shen will send someone to follow our fleet back to Shandong, so that we can see the most real situation in the area."

Xie Li is full of confidence in the progress of Haihan's construction in Zhifu Bay. Although Haihan has not been there for a long time, the infrastructure is much more decent than that of Pidao. He is not worried about the people who visit Pidao. It will affect their confidence in Haihan.This matter has all advantages and no disadvantages for Phi Island, and it does not need to bear any risks. Xie Li thinks that Shen Shikui will not reject this plan that can solve Phi Island's survival crisis.

Of course, Shen Shikui still has some doubts. After all, these uninvited guests who fell from the sky were too kind. You must know that even no one in Ming Dynasty can solve these things for him. A group of foreigners who have never heard of the name before But it is unreasonable to take the initiative to stand up and solve problems for him.But he really couldn't refuse the temptation of the other party's solution. If the survival problems of the people and the garrison on the island are not resolved as soon as possible, the next mutiny may come soon, and the strength of Phi Island has shrunk in the past year. Great, I can't take it anymore.

Shen Shikui looked at his nephew: "Zhixiang, take a group of people and go to Shandong with them?"

"I take orders from a lowly position!" Shen Zhixiang didn't refuse, so he responded aloud.At present, there are not many generals leading troops on the island, and there are even fewer people Shen Shikui can trust. Shen Zhixiang also knows that this job must fall on him.However, judging from the attitude shown by the other party, there should be no risk in this trip.

Xie Li added: "This time I decided to come to Phi Island on the spur of the moment. I didn't prepare any gifts in a hurry. I can only squeeze out a thousand catties of food from the fleet's supplies. I hope Master Shen will not dislike it."

"You're welcome!" Of course, Shen Shikui would not refuse the food delivered to his door. Given the current situation of Phi Island, the food supply is not too much for ten thousand catties, not too little for a hundred catties, as long as there is food coming in.How much is not the point, if we can maintain the food import channels, we can appease the people on the island who are restless because of their hunger.

After the two parties finished talking about the business, Xie Li went to see the people on the island, and Shen Shikui asked Shen Zhixiang to take him around.Xie Li found that the situation in this place was somewhat similar to that outside Fushan County a few days ago. There were simple shacks all over the place, people with dull eyes due to hunger, yellow-skinned and skinny people, and the air was filled with a rotten smell. .

Xie Li remembered something and asked Shen Zhixiang: "Are there enough doctors on the island?"

Shen Zhixiang didn't understand what it meant, but he still responded and explained: "There are seven or eight doctors on the island, but they are all mediocre... The special envoy feels unwell? Can you send the doctor to ask for a pulse?"

Xie Li shook his head and said, "That's not true. The reason why I asked about this is because I saw that the living conditions of the people here are so poor that there is a danger of an epidemic. If the number of doctors and medicinal materials on the island is insufficient, then once the epidemic breaks out, there will be an epidemic. It's probably out of control."

Shen Zhixiang responded: "The special envoy is right, but we don't know the truth. It's just that the traffic on Phi Island is blocked, and it is difficult to evacuate supplies and personnel. We can only maintain the status quo. This island is a Liaodong with nowhere to go. It is impossible for the Han people to drive them out of Phi Island, and even if there is a possibility of a disease outbreak, they still have to stay on the island."

Xie Li said: "If there is no outside help, Phi Island may not be able to survive for long. After that time, Jin Rulai will surrender, and the people on the island will probably have to surrender in order to survive!"

Shen Zhixiang shook his head and said: "The governor is absolutely loyal to the emperor and the court, and he will never choose to surrender. Even if the gold thieves come to attack, the governor will definitely fight to the end."

"If General Shen made the decision, would there be a different choice?" Xie Li continued to probe.

Shen Zhixiang didn't seem to be aware of the tricks in Xie Li's question, and he responded very straightforwardly: "We have been defending the frontier for Ming Dynasty at sea for many years, but does the imperial court really care about us? No one wants people, no one wants food. When the gold thieves harass Jiliao Xuanda and other places, the imperial court will order us to attack Liaodong and hold back the gold thieves. Only at this time will the imperial court remember that there is still our army overseas. According to me, The people on this island should seek to survive first, and then consider other things. If you can't save your life, what's the use of being loyal to the court?"

Before Xie Li came to Phi Island, Wang Tom specifically instructed him to pay attention to the attitude shown by Shen Shikui's nephew-this is a new order Wang Tom received after reporting to Zhifu Island Command.Although Xie Li didn't understand what it meant, he still paid special attention and tried to test Shen Zhixiang whenever he got the chance.

What Xie Li didn't know was that after consulting the database, the headquarters found that in history, Shen Shikui went to justice generously after being captured and was killed by the Qing soldiers, but his nephew Shen Zhixiang chose to surrender to save his life, and was later included in the Zhengbaiqi, after the Qing soldiers entered the customs, he led troops to fight against Li Zicheng, and he also went south with Kong Youde to fight against Huguang.

Although this episode has not yet happened, it is too early to accuse Shen Zhixiang of being a "traitor" in advance, but the Haihan people believe that since the other party has a tendency to treason and surrender to foreign peoples, they must take precautions in advance, so as not to use Haihan in the future. Han was also sold together.Of course, if he seized the opportunity, he might be able to take the lead and use it for his own use. After all, judging from his original life trajectory, his loyalty to Daming should be relatively limited, which is far worse than not On his uncle Shen Shikui.

When Xie Li heard Shen Zhixiang's statement, it was indeed different from the Ming army officers he had contacted in the past.Even if those people he has come into contact with before are in harmony with Hai Han, they will definitely still have politically correct remarks about loyalty to the monarch and patriotism, and they will do their superficial skills well.However, Shen Zhixiang's tone was obviously dissatisfied with the imperial court, and he was also full of pessimism about the current situation and future of Dongjiang Town, obviously he had some serious thoughts.

Xie Li did not continue to discuss this topic in depth at the moment, one is to avoid Shen Zhixiang from becoming alert, and the other is that this Pidao is another territory after all, and he is afraid that the walls have ears and people will listen.It doesn't matter to Shen Zhixiang, but if his uncle finds out, it will inevitably affect his perception of Hai Han.

The situation on Phi Island was far worse than Haihan expected. A large number of refugees could only huddle in shacks and suffer from hunger. The sanitation conditions were extremely poor. It is unknown that Shen Shikui and his family were able to persist for such a long time without plague. Whether the predecessors managed well was really down to luck.Although Xie Li has traveled to many places and seen many refugee camps in the past few years, he also believes that the situation in Phi Island is very dangerous and catastrophic events may happen at any time.

After seeing the two refugee settlements, Xie Li had basically understood the general living standards of the local people, so he invited Shen Zhixiang to leave Phi Island to join the Haihan Fleet.Shen Shikui assigned two ships to Shen Zhixiang, one to go south with him to Shandong, and the other to transport back the thousand catties of grain presented to Phi Island by the Haihan Fleet.

Before leaving, Shen Shikui told him: "Observe the Haihan people on the way, to see whether they are bragging or have real strength. Also, after going to the local area, if you can meet the person in charge of Haihan, you should try your best to promote cooperation. , if we can get this assistance, Dongjiang Town may be able to survive the current difficulties."

Shen Zhixiang had been to Shandong before, but they were all with his own fleet to collect food there, but this was the first time he went south with others.He and Xie Li took a Haicang boat out to sea together, tied the small boat that Xie Li came in behind the boat, and slowly approached the Haihan Fleet moored on the north side of Phi Island near Tieshan County, North Korea.

The distance from the Haihan fleet was getting closer and closer, and Shen Zhixiang really realized how big the flagship of Haihan was. The small Haicang boat gestured at its side. The rope ladder hangs down to climb the deck.The most conspicuous thing on the side of the ship is the neat square gun ports. Shen Zhixiang took a quick look and found that there were at least 20 of them, and he was very shocked.If these gun ports were not decorations on the ship, then the firepower of this ship would be astonishingly strong.

Xie Li observed the words and expressions, knowing that the other party had noticed the firepower configuration of this warship, so he pretended to be unintentional and said: "A few days ago when we went to Lushunkou, we met the Dengzhou navy who defected to Liaodong last year."

Sure enough, Shen Zhixiang immediately asked: "Then did you fight with him? What was the result?"

Xie Li smiled and said: "Since we have encountered each other, we have to fight, but there are few boats on the other side, there are only four lucky boats, we will finish it in two or three."

Shen Zhixiang was a little unconvinced: "The Dengzhou navy is well-trained and can be considered a strong army. Can your army handle it easily?"

Xie Li said: "There is no evidence to say it. The dozens of prisoners we captured at that time were detained on the ship. General Xiao Shen will know the truth when he boards the ship. Please!"

Shen Zhixiang was dubious, but he followed his advice and climbed up the ship's side from the rope ladder.After going up to the deck, Shen Zhixiang found that there were indeed several cannons arranged on both sides of the deck, and the firepower must be stronger than that of Ming army warships.These cannons are all fixed on the pedestals with complex shapes, and the cannons are covered with tarpaulins, and they will not be removed until wartime.

After Xie Li came up, Shen Zhixiang couldn't wait to ask: "Dare to ask the special envoy, where did your country buy this artillery?"

Xie Li smiled and said, "Do you want to buy it?"

Shen Zhixiang nodded repeatedly and said, "If the price is right, then I'll book a few."

Shen Zhixiang had seen the power of artillery in combat. In the early years, Dongjiang Town was able to defend such a small place as Lushunkou, thanks to artillery.However, in the past year, Jiang Town in the Middle East has lost land one after another, and the artillery deployed in various strongholds has also lost a lot of artillery. Now there are not many stocks on the island.But this thing is not a common product that can be made anywhere, and there is no place to buy it if you want to buy it. Shen Zhixiang immediately became interested when he saw so many artillery pieces on the Haihan battleship.

Xie Li brought him to a naval gun, tore off the gun cover, pointed at the gun body and said, "Look at the words on it."

Shen Zhixiang bent down slightly, and took a closer look, and saw two lines of inscriptions in Song style along the direction of the gun barrel. One line read "Made in Workshop 41 of Haihan Military Industry", and the other line was written like earthworms rolling sand, not Chinese characters.Shen Zhixiang only understood the first line, raised his head and asked, "Is this cannon made in your country? What's the meaning of the second line like a scripture?"

Xie Li nodded and explained to him: "The first line is the unit that made the gun, and the second line is the serial number of this gun. These numbers are specially compiled. If necessary, you can check the specific Manufactured time and by artisans."

The guns and cannons manufactured by Haihan Military Industry all have unique numbers, which are composed of English and Arabic numerals. This is firstly for confidentiality, and secondly, it is more convenient to engrave than Chinese characters.But in the eyes of outsiders like Shen Zhixiang, this is naturally like a book from heaven.

Xie Li continued to introduce: "The total weight of this gun is 640 catties, and the projectile weighs about [-] catties. It is the least powerful gun on this ship."

Shen Zhixiang was still listening attentively, and almost spit out when he heard the last sentence.But Xie Li stopped abruptly when he said this, and put the oilcloth cannon cover back on the cannon: "Let's talk about the cannon, let's take General Shen to see the chief first. If General Shen has any ideas, you can ask him Mentioned by the Chief."

Although Shen Zhixiang didn't know what official rank the "Chief" was in Haihan Kingdom, but seeing Xie Li's respectful appearance when he mentioned it, he must be a real big shot, so he hurriedly adjusted his clothes.He remembered Shen Shikui's advice before he set off, and he also wanted to take this opportunity to see how Haihan's high-ranking figures acted.

Xie Li led Shen Zhixiang through the noisy deck, from the stairway at the rear of the ship to the cabin.The captain's cabin of this ship is located at the rear of the ship, and there are two guards on duty at the door.Xie Li introduced Shen Zhixiang's identity to Wang Tom, and then consciously stood behind Wang Tom.

"General Shen, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Tom Wang put down what he was doing, got up and greeted Shen Zhixiang.

Shen Zhixiang responded with his mouth, but his eyes noticed the various charts hanging on the walls of this cabin, some of which he could immediately recognize were the topography of the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea, but more charts were completely unfamiliar. In the sea area, it is obvious that the opponent's sailing experience is much richer than his own.

(End of this chapter)