1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 1989
For these local officials who have already participated in the operation of the salt industry, they are more concerned about whether their investment can receive the expected return smoothly. Therefore, it seems very important to take some radical measures to clear the obstacles on the way forward. reasonable response.As for whether doing so would cause another confrontation between Haihan and Daming, or even cause a large-scale armed conflict, the vast majority of them actually didn't care too much.

Over the past few years, Hai Han's strength has been clearly demonstrated. No matter whether it is a martial or literary fight, Da Ming obviously lacks the means to truly restrain Hai Han.Officials in Ningbo who insisted on character and stand were expelled from the local area one after another for various reasons. Most of those who are still alive and kicking in Ningbo today chose to cooperate with Haihan.

Of course, the benefits that the local officials got from Haihan were not for nothing, and they had to choose one of the two paths of promotion and fortune.Nowadays, all the officials in Zhejiang know that coming to Ningbo to be an official is a fat job, but once you come here, you don’t even think about promotion.At most, it was like the situation Qu Yutong encountered some time ago, the court wanted to transfer him away from Ningbo through promotion, and then emptied his official position, so as to reduce the degree of local infiltration and indirect control by Haihan.

Therefore, most of the people who stayed in Ningbo to be officials were content to make money in their own positions, and they didn't care too much about how Haihan's direct intervention would affect Daming.Some officials even hope that Haihan will send troops quickly to the Jianghuai area to wipe out all the salt merchants who dare to jump out to fight against them.

Such expectations are of course unrealistic for Haihan. In recent years, Daming has no longer been regarded as Haihan's main military opponent. The executive committee is reassuring to operate Daming as its own source of raw materials and sales market. To maintain the stability of the coastal areas of Daming, Haihan is even more urgent than the local government of Daming.So from Shi Diwen's standpoint, although he is also very dissatisfied with the counterattack from the Jianghuai salt merchants, he will try his best to avoid direct use of force-at least avoid sending out regular troops, otherwise the consequences are very likely Instead of solving problems, they create bigger problems.

It's just that the local officials in Ningbo may not have enough vision to understand this kind of thinking. They are more concerned about their own interests than Ming's stability.Some people may even think maliciously that if the deterioration of the situation really leads to war between the two countries, wouldn't it be more beneficial for Ningbo to destroy the Jianghuai area?

After finally rejecting all the banquet invitations and politely dismissing these officials, Shi Diwen was finally able to have a quiet exchange with Qu Yutong about the current situation.

As a representative figure in the officialdom in Ningbo to promote cooperation with Haihan, Qu Yutong is undoubtedly under great pressure at the moment. He not only needs to appease the emotions of his officials, but also tries to cooperate with Haihan in investigating the attack. loss caused by the event.As one of the behind-the-scenes shareholders of the two salt works in Shipu and Xiangshan, the direct and indirect losses that Qu Yutong has suffered in the recent attacks are at least around ten thousand taels of silver. The income has long been more than five figures, but such a loss still makes him feel pain.

But in front of his colleagues and subordinates, Qu Yutong had to show a calm look, so that Shi Diwen's speech could sound credible enough.But in fact, he is not sure whether Haihan can help solve this matter. After all, Shi Diwen told him a long time ago that he would not send troops to Daming unless he had to. , he really couldn't think of how the Haihan people planned to solve these problems they were currently encountering.

"Master Qu, I understand your situation very well. We are all our own people. I can also reveal some news to you." Shi Diwen stopped at this point, picked up the teacup and drank water first.It wasn't that he was trying to play tricks on Qu Yu Tong, it was because his throat was so dry that he needed to moisten his throat first before continuing.

Qu Yutong waited anxiously for Shi Diwen to drink the water and put down his teacup, then he asked, "Is there any good news?"

"Yes!" Shi Diwen nodded and admitted Qu Yutong's guess: "Before I came to Ningbo this time, Sanya sent a message that they had transferred elite personnel to Zhoushan to be responsible for the investigation of these recent attacks. If The itinerary went well, so before I returned to Zhoushan, the person had already arrived."

Qu Yutong didn't quite understand the origin of the "elite personnel" that Shi Diwen called, so he asked: "Could it be that some of the elite troops who sent troops to North Korea this year are going south? That's a good thing, I believe that General Qian and Wang The general leads his troops to kill, and those troublemakers Xiaoxiao will be suppressed soon!"

Shi Diwen shook his head and said: "The manpower transferred this time is not from the army, but I can assure you that it is definitely a first-class man."

Shi Diwen couldn't explain Gong Shiqi's identity to Qu Yutong. After all, this old man had committed several major crimes in Zhejiang a few years ago, but these deeds were all high-level secrets, so he definitely couldn't show them to Ming officials. Even though Qu Yutong's position was clearly in favor of Hai Han, Shi Diwen did not dare to make an exception and explain the mystery to him.

Qu Yutong waited for a while, but he didn't wait for the next article. There was neither an introduction to the deeds of this "expert" nor a preview of the next action schedule. So what kind of good news is this?

Qu Yutong said with a wry smile: "Master Shi, General Shi, you should take it as a comfort to me, and at least reveal a little more information that will make me feel at ease? You just said two words that are neither salty nor bland, what is the actual content?" I didn’t say anything, so how can I rest assured?”

Shi Diwen said seriously: "It's not that I don't want to say it, but I can't say it. This transfer is an order directly issued by the Executive Committee, and the personnel who carry out the investigation work are likely to enter the Jianghuai area for activities, so their identities and backgrounds must be Absolutely confidential, please forgive me Master Qu."

Qu Yu heard the same thing, and Shi Diwen's statement seemed reasonable. Since it was a secret investigation, it is of course very important to keep the investigator's identity and whereabouts secret.If the news is accidentally leaked, Jianghuai salt merchants can do anything with the courage, so it is always right to be cautious.

In fact, the information that Shi Diwen currently knows is very limited. Sanya sent a telegram to inform him that Gong Shiqi had been transferred from Shandong back to Zhejiang to take charge of the investigation. But what measures will be taken after Gong Shiqi arrives? He has not been notified yet.Shi Diwen estimated that he would have to wait until he returned to Zhoushan Island to meet with Gong Shiqi face-to-face before he could confirm the next action arrangement.

But Shi Diwen knew Gong Shiqi's strengths, and the Ministry of Security transferred him back to the south, probably not just to investigate the case, but also to use his ability to directly solve the troubles faced by the Ningbo and Zhoushan authorities.At that time, the military may need to mobilize troops to cooperate with its actions, so Shi Diwen dare not speak too much at the moment. In short, speak less and make fewer mistakes. It is better to have reservations about Ming officials like Qu Yutong. .

The next day, Shi Diwen returned to Zhoushan Island, and immediately met Gong Shiqi who arrived here yesterday.Both of them were used to stressing efficiency, so they got to the point soon after the meeting, and Gong Shiqi directly explained his plan of action.

Shi Diwen trusted Gong Shiqi's personal ability very much. After listening to Gong Shiqi's explanation, he only asked a few simple questions about the details, and then agreed to Gong Shiqi's plan.However, he also made a request that the Military Intelligence Bureau also send people to join the action plan formulated by Gong Shiqi.

"This is not only my idea, but also the order of the executive committee. The telegram sent by Fort Victory clearly requested the Ministry of Security and the Military Intelligence Bureau to conduct a joint investigation into the attack." Maybe it was because Gong Shiqi was afraid of this arrangement. , Shi Diwen also specially emphasized that this arrangement was not made by himself, but the meaning of the executive committee.

Gong Shiqi understood that this was due to the military's unwillingness to stand by and watch the whole process. Even if it was inconvenient to directly send troops to intervene, they still wanted to participate in different ways.As for whether it was an order from the Executive Committee, Gong Shiqi didn't particularly care. He didn't intend to eat alone. If the Military Intelligence Bureau can help during the operation, then he doesn't mind joining forces with the Military Intelligence Bureau.

"The humble job will follow the arrangement of the adults." Gong Shiqi expressed his attitude immediately, willing to cooperate with the Military Intelligence Bureau.

With Gong Shiqi's statement, things are settled for Shi Diwen. He was a little worried that Gong Shiqi would not accept this arrangement, but he didn't expect that the number one ruthless person in the Ministry of Security would be so knowledgeable and witty. I agreed to come down.Immediately, Shi Diwen swiped his pen and signed the warrant, asking Gong Shiqi to take it to the logistics support department to apply for various resources needed for the operation.

Although Gong Shiqi didn't mind cooperating with the Military Intelligence Bureau, he still cared about what kind of people the other party would send to partner with him.Shi Diwen didn't mention the candidate at the moment, so he couldn't ask further, but after he came out of Shi Diwen's office, he asked Wanfa about it.

The functions of the Ministry of Security and the Military Intelligence Bureau actually have some overlapping roles, so from a certain point of view, the two agencies can be regarded as competitors. Both parties have a certain understanding of each other's behavior styles and famous figures.Although a person like Gong Shiqi is not well-known outside, he is actually well-known in the intelligence field, and many newcomers even regard him as a role model and a target to catch up with.This is also why Shi Diwen was able to boast in front of Qu Yutong, calling Gong Shiqi "a first-class player".

Gong Shiqi believed that the Military Intelligence Bureau would not casually send an unknown person to partner with him on such a mission, and Wan Fa must know his counterparts in this area better than himself, so he asked him for news, hoping to get some help soon prepared.

"Military Intelligence Bureau?" Wan Fa thought for a while before answering: "The local Military Intelligence Bureau is mainly composed of civilian staff, and there are only two or three teams responsible for field missions, but there is one expert among them. It is said that he used to be in Takahashi. He was a member of the general's errands, and later retired from the front-line troops due to injuries, and then transferred to the Military Intelligence Bureau to command field missions. It is said that the missions carried out by him have never had a record of failure."

"Oh? There is such a person in Zhoushan, so I have to meet for a while!" After listening to Wanfa's introduction, Gong Shiqi also became interested in this candidate.He had worked with Gao Qiaonan for a short time, and he knew that the people under Gao Qiaonan had good strength, and the veterans had combat experience, so it was easier to communicate when performing field missions, which could save a lot of trouble.

The efficiency of the Military Intelligence Bureau was quite good. That afternoon, Gong Shiqi met the man who took the initiative to visit him.

"Under Ji Yuanqing, I belong to the Military Intelligence Bureau." The visitor's self-introduction was very simple, with neither military rank nor specific position.

However, Gong Shiqi was very comfortable with this method of introduction. After all, everyone was on the intelligence front, and protecting one's own information was the most basic professional quality, and this was considered normal by the other party.He clasped his fists and responded, "I've been waiting for you for a long time! I'm Gong Shiqi, who belongs to the Ministry of Security."

While talking, Gong Shiqi sized up Ji Yuanqing, who was described by Wan Fa as an expert in the Military Intelligence Bureau.This man looks to be about forty years old, with a medium build and sharp eyes. He is wearing a gray cloth military uniform that has been washed a little white. The shoulder strap shows that his military rank is a captain. If it is placed in a combat unit, it is at least a company commander. A first-class officer.

After the two sat down in the room, Ji Yuanqing took the initiative to say: "As for the investigation of the attack, the superiors have assigned me to cooperate with Brother Gong's actions. Please also ask Brother Gong to explain the plan in general and assign tasks to my subordinates."

Gong Shiqidao: "Brother Ji, you are welcome. This operation is a joint cooperation between the two companies. It is impossible to say who arranges who. Moreover, Brother Ji is often active in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, so he is far more familiar with the local environment than this one. It is necessary for Brother Ji to perfect it. The details of the plan."

Although Gong Shiqi's words were very polite, he still vaguely pointed out that he was the protagonist who directed the operation, and Ji Yuanqing's function was to provide assistance and further improve the action plan.He also used this to test the attitude of the other party, to see if Ji Yuanqing could get along well with him.

Ji Yuanqing seemed to be unaware of Gong Shiqi's implication. Of course, he may not care about these details, so he said expressionlessly: "I will do my best, brother Gong!"

Seeing this, Gong Shiqi explained his plan to Ji Yuanqing without further ado.This explanation was quite time-consuming. By the time Gong Shiqi finished explaining the action plan in detail, the sky had already darkened.

"Brother Ji, what do you think of this plan? Are there any changes that need to be made?" Gong Shiqi took a sip of tea, and immediately asked the other party what he thought after listening to his explanation.

(End of this chapter)