1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 1945
Xue Zheng can choose not to trust the other party, but he also knows that if the other party can really provide effective information about the whereabouts of the North Koreans, it will undoubtedly greatly increase his chances of success.Besides this unidentified Mr. Huo, there is probably no other way to provide this key information in Danzhou in a short time.The other party dared to offer such a high price, obviously because they were certain that no one else would be able to continue this business. This amount of money is indeed not a small amount, but if compared with the goal that Xue Zheng wants to accomplish and the possible follow-up impact, then It's nothing.

It doesn't matter whether the other party can make the deal, but Xue Zheng has no choice for this tricky task at hand.Even if there is such a small chance, he has to do his best to fight for it.The inspection itinerary of the North Koreans will not go on endlessly, and it will be even more difficult to attack them when they return to Sanya after this round.

"Then how do I pay you? Such a large sum of money, I don't have cash around me." Xue Zheng could only compromise in the end, and it doesn't make much sense to question the other party's ability. Even if he can't trust the other party, he can only start It's a gamble.

Mr. Huo said: "It just so happens that I don't plan to collect gold and silver property, you should pay with Haihan coins! You go back and find a place to live, and I will send someone to collect the money later."

After finishing speaking, Mr. Huo took out a Haihan banknote, tore it in half, put one half on the desk in front of him, and said to Xue Zheng: "Take this half back, and my people will take the other half when the time comes." The banknotes will come to you, and you will pay if they match. Afterwards, I will provide you with relevant information, and the same will be done.”

Xue Zheng walked forward slowly to get the half banknote, and glanced at Mr. Huo who was sitting behind the desk, trying to see his appearance clearly, but when he got closer, he found that this man was wearing a mask on his head. With two eyes exposed, you can't see what he looks like at all, and it seems that he has been prepared for a long time, so that outsiders who talk to him here will not see his real appearance.

Xue Zheng thought to himself that he had lost again for a while, the opponent covered his face tightly, but he showed his whole face, obviously not as well-prepared as the opponent.But it's meaningless to worry about these details now, and it's impossible for him to take off the opponent's mask to see clearly, so he can only pinch his nose to recognize it.

Xue Zheng took the half banknote and left the study along the same path. The big man who searched him earlier returned the short gun and dagger to him.Xue Zheng returned to the warehouse, and the carriage was still parked there waiting for him.Xue Zheng knew that he would only be allowed to leave here if he had to take a carriage, so he got into the carriage obediently and put on the hood again.After some twists and turns, he was sent back to the gate of the teahouse where he started earlier, and then the carriage turned around and left.

Xue Zheng didn't dare to try to track the carriage. If the other party sensed something was wrong, it would be trivial to suspend the cooperation, but it would be a big trouble to report their purpose to the authorities.He returned to the teahouse to meet other people, and then looked for another place to stay.Although Xue Zheng also tried to distinguish whether someone around him was monitoring him, this effort seemed a little futile. He still couldn't know how Mr. Huo monitored his own actions to determine his foothold in Danzhou—maybe this is It must be one of the opponent's performances in Danzhou.

At this time, the real protagonist, Li Lu, has no idea that someone in Danzhou has already begun to deploy an attack plan against him. He has already arrived at Fushuizhou Island in the sea of ​​Beibu Gulf by boat.This island was still a deserted island when Haihan started operating as a sea transfer station and safe haven many years ago. However, although the port size on the island is still small, the supporting facilities are quite complete, and even opened a A hotel that can accommodate hundreds of people.

Now there are more than 20 families on the island, forming a small village.In addition to growing vegetables and fruits on the island, raising poultry and livestock, and going fishing, these islanders are also responsible for maintaining the port facilities here and operating the only hotel on the island.Most of the ships that will dock at this place are merchant ships and cargo ships that travel between Annan and Haihan all year round. Many sailors and islanders are also familiar with it.

This place reminded Li Luo that when he went south, he once took a day to visit an uninhabited island, and the living facilities on this island were more complete, but the location was isolated overseas, a short distance from Annan and Haihan. The distance, in fact, is a bit out of the world.

The houses on the island are all built with stone and wood quarried locally. They are clumsy in shape but strong in structure, so that they can withstand the wind and rain on the sea.The only thing completely dependent on the outside world is the food needed by the permanent population on the island.There is also a granary built on the island, which stores thousands of catties of grain all year round, in case of bad weather and the suspension of navigation.

Although the conditions on the island are simple, Li Wei thinks that the simple living environment here looks very good. The islanders have no worries about food and clothing, and do not need to do too much work. If there is any disadvantage, it is probably the environment. closed.After all, the island is not big, and one day should be enough to circle the island several times along the coastline.

Not long after the fleet of Li Luo and his party arrived at Fushuizhou Island, an expedition-class warship sailing from Tushan Peninsula also arrived.This ship is specially here to carry out the task of piloting and escorting. Although there are basically no artificial security threats in this sea area, there are two big figures in this small fleet, Beks, the top official of Haihan, and the son of North Korea. Then there should be enough ostentation.

At the same time, the warship also brought news that after Annan received the notification from Haihan, General Pingnan Zheng Bai, who happened to be inspecting the training situation at the new barracks near the Tushan Peninsula, would come forward to receive Li Lu and Bai Kesi.

Although Li Min did not recognize the general of An Nanguo, he did recognize his son Zheng Ting. This year, the army that Annan Guo sent to North Korea was led by the new generation general Zheng Ting. The general will also meet several times.

The fleet stayed at Fushuizhou Island for one night, and set off early the next morning to continue heading northwest.The voyage from Fushuizhou Island to Tushan Peninsula was only about [-] nautical miles. With the speed of this fleet, they arrived at Tushan Peninsula that afternoon.

In the early years, most of the goods and personnel exchanges between Haihan and Annan were carried out through the Tushan Peninsula, so a relatively complete military and cargo terminal was built here, and this layout and architectural style reveal a strong Haihan style port. Li Lu had seen many times on the way to the south, so there was no need for Bai Kesi to introduce him. He could tell at a glance that this place belonged to Haihan's jurisdiction.

General Zheng Bai and Beks were also quite familiar with each other. During the Annan Civil War, they asked Haihan to purchase arms and equipment. Beks was responsible for technical negotiations on Haihan's side. The two had been dealing with each other for almost ten years.Therefore, Zheng Bo did not need to avoid suspicion, and took the initiative to come to the port of Haihan base to welcome the arrival of Bai Kesi and Li Wei.

Compared with the son of Joseon who came from afar, Zheng Bai was actually more happy about Beks' arrival.In recent years, the development momentum of Haihan has been getting faster and faster. The senior officials of the Executive Committee are busy with domestic affairs, and it is difficult to have time to travel and visit other countries.The last time Zheng Bai saw Bai Kesi was two years ago when he went to Sanya to inspect a batch of artillery, while the last time Bai Kesi was in Annan was many years ago.

For Annan, there are many tangible benefits in contacting Haihan, especially in the military field, and military technology is also a part of it that Annan values.At present, Annan has successfully introduced some of Haihan's ordnance technology, and he can manufacture small-tonnage exploration-class warships and special types of guns and artillery by himself.

Of course, Zheng Bai also knew very well that the ordnance technology taught by Haihan to Annan was not very advanced, and Haihan kept all the really good things for his own army.Of course, there is nothing wrong with such an arrangement, but Zheng Bo still hopes to obtain more military technology for Annan by maintaining a good personal relationship with Haihan's senior management.

And Bai Kesi is the official in charge of Haihan Ordnance Industry. Usually Annan would not be able to invite him to come over as a guest. This time he took the initiative to show up, and Zheng Bai naturally wanted to say hello on behalf of his country.

As for the uninvited son of North Korea, Zheng Bai is still not sure what the real purpose of the other party's trip is, but because Annan sent troops to North Korea to help him defeat the enemy this year, the relationship between the two countries has been drawn closer. Quite a few, Zheng Bo believed that the other party should have come to Annan with some friendly diplomatic missions.Moreover, the other party was accompanied by Bai Kesi on this trip, which shows how much Victory Fort attaches importance to this trip. Haihan's senior management should also have some expectations for this high-level meeting.

Zheng Bai never imagined that his speculations were all just fantasies. This itinerary was not arranged by Shengli Fort at all, nor was it proposed by the Prince of Korea on his own initiative. It was a temporary arrangement due to a situation during the original itinerary of the inspection trip to Haihan. Li Min went overseas for a while.Bai Kesi's company was just to make the arrangement look more reasonable, and to avoid associating the North Koreans with bad ideas.

As for what kind of illusion this trip would give Annan, in fact, Beks didn't think deeply about it when he made this decision.But Beks knew that Annan intended to make friends with North Korea in order to establish trade routes, so Annan should be very happy to see the arrival of the son of North Korea.Beks hoped to take this opportunity to let the North Koreans understand the military cooperation between Haihan and Annan. According to his judgment, Annan would be very happy to show the strong military alliance between his country and Haihan to a third party.

The actual situation is exactly the same. When he heard that the son of Joseon wanted to visit the training situation of the nearby Annan recruit camp, Zheng Bai agreed without hesitation, and said that he would personally accompany him and act as a temporary guide for Li Min.He even took the initiative to ask Beks if it was necessary to arrange a temporary exercise involving the navy near Tushan base, so as to better show the style of Annan's army to the distinguished guests.

Beks didn't mind the efforts of Annan's people to show their muscles. For North Korea, Annan was a replicable model of success. The military cooperation has been effective, so that North Korea can more safely follow Haihan's military arrangements and suggestions.

Li Lu did not expect that such a large-scale event could be arranged in this temporary itinerary, and he immediately felt that he had a good reputation. After all, Zheng Bai made his words very clear, and he just wanted to ask him to take a look at the strength of An Nanjun. It can be said that it is an event specially held for him.

In fact, Li Wei had already seen the Annan Army when he was in North Korea, and it was a real front-line combat force, not the level of a new barracks near Tushan.However, he really wanted to see what kind of standard the recruits would be in the Annan army, which was said to be trained completely according to Haihan military standards.If it is really powerful, then the domestic army will be handed over to Haihan military advisers for training in the future, and you can rest assured.

However, it was a bit late to arrive at Tushan Peninsula that day, and it was definitely too late to arrange a visit immediately, and Zheng Bai had already set up a dinner in advance to welcome Bai Kesi and Li Lu and his party.

Compared with the rich Haihan cuisine, Annan's cooking is more sweet and sour, and uses a lot of tropical fruits and vegetables as ingredients instead of meat like Haihan cuisine.However, in recent years, high-level exchanges between the two countries have been frequent, and some dignitaries in Annan have also begun to imitate the flavor of Haihan cuisine in terms of food and drink, and regard it as the enjoyment of the upper class. Therefore, at the banquet hosted by Zheng Bai today, There are quite a few dishes made by Haihan.

Since Li Min went abroad, he has eaten a lot of high-end banquets along the way, and now he is quite a seasoned gourmet, and now he also appreciates this table of banquets.

While Li Mo was feasting in Annan, Zhang Qianzhi, who stayed in Changhua to investigate the case, had already finished his local work, handed over the rest of the finishing work to the subordinates of the Ministry of Security, and rushed to Danzhou by boat. Continue to track down this incident.

Zhang Qianzhi set off from Changhua nearly three days later than Xue Zheng's group, but during this period he did not receive any good news from Danzhou.Wang Baisuo, the head of the local Ministry of Security, organized a monitoring and investigation of Danzhou Port after receiving the telegram notification from Changhua, but he did not find the suspicious lucky boat and related personnel.The voyage from Changhua to Danzhou only takes one day. If the ship went straight to Danzhou, it would be impossible for it to not arrive at the port for so long. The only explanation is that the ship did not go to Danzhou at all. port.

The ocean is so big that naturally it is impossible to easily track the whereabouts of a certain ship. Zhang Qianzhi's judgment that the other party will go to Danzhou is only based on the information he has at the moment, and there is no solid evidence.The ship probably didn't intend to go to Danzhou at all, but left Hainan Island directly.However, Zhang Qianzhi's intuition believed that even if the ship did not go to Danzhou after leaving Changhua, the group of people on board did not necessarily give up the follow-up actions.

(End of this chapter)