1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 1999
Regarding the threats posed by foreign competitors, Yang Chengye obviously did not understand as well as Lu Kangtai did, and even seemed a little naive.He thought it was just a matter of two boats of salt. At most, if the salt was withheld and the people were driven away, the matter would be over. He didn't think deeply about the essence of the matter.

However, Lu Kangtai has much more information than him, so he naturally knows that the Ningbo salt merchants are not friendly. The two shipments of salt this time are probably just a tentative stepping stone. Sit back and watch, then Ningbo salt merchants will definitely increase their efforts to export more salt to Yangzhou to seize market share.

And Lu Kangtai held the most important armed forces of the Shanshan-Shanxi salt merchants. If He Huan made the final decision to use force to deal with the Ningbo salt merchants, it must be Lu Kangtai who commanded the action.But at this moment, I don't know how many pairs of eyes are staring at the two salt ships from Ningbo in the dark. If you want to use the musketeers under him, it may cause a lot of trouble, so Lu Kangtai is still somewhat concerned about this matter. indecision.

Lu Kangtai's musketeers were not easy to come by, and he was not alone. There were other strong supporters behind the scenes to help him. The people who helped him form the musketeers had already greeted him. It is not allowed to enter the control area of ​​the Haihan people for activities.In other words, try to avoid attracting the attention of the Haihan people, otherwise his source of weapons and ammunition will be cut off, and the musket can only be used as a fire stick.

Lu Kangtai had always followed this rule before, and the Musketeers' several attacks were not muddled at all, and they withdrew after finishing the transaction. In his opinion, there was no evidence left that would leak information about the Musketeers.And the scope of its activities has always been kept outside Yangzhou and the Haihan people's control area, trying to prevent the outside world from linking the Musketeer team with itself.Even within the Shanshan-Shanxi salt merchant group, only a few prominent figures such as He Huan knew that the Musketeers were actually under his jurisdiction.

He believed that this could ensure the privacy of the Musketeers to the greatest extent, and at the same time protect his own safety.If the outside world knows that this Musketeer team is his team, then I am afraid that there will be no peace in the future.

But what Lu Kangtai didn't know was that the Hui nationality salt merchant actually knew something about the Musketeers, but there was no definite evidence to prove his relationship with the Musketeers.In Dai Yingda's plan to attack the Shanshan salt merchants, he planned to find an opportunity to report Lu Kangtai's firearms team to Haihan, and use the method of borrowing a knife to kill this armed force that he was very afraid of.

What all the salt merchants in Yangzhou didn't know was that the real purpose of the Ningbo salt merchants on the canal wharf came to Yangzhou was not to sell salt, but to find the elusive Musketeers.Lu Kangtai didn't need this trick, as long as he dared to use the Musketeers, he would immediately become the number one target of the Haihan people.But in his current situation, he had actually put one foot on the edge of a cliff.

Yang Chengye was very hesitant about Lu Kangtai's persuasion. He didn't like a life of fighting and fighting. He didn't even want to get involved in the struggle between the local salt merchant camps, let alone the competition with external forces.But now the menacing Ningbo salt merchant seems to have affected the situation in Yangzhou, and may even drag himself into the water who has been watching from the sidelines. This is by no means a good thing for him.

"Brother Lu, even if this Ningbo salt merchant wants to come over to sell salt, he can't drive us out of Yangzhou, right? We've been in Yangzhou for several generations, and they're just outsiders after all!" Yang Chengye still didn't want to Follow Lu Kangtai's suggestion, still trying to find a way to shirk it.

Hearing the obvious prevarication in his tone, Lu Kangtai couldn't help saying angrily: "When is it! People are almost stepping on your face! If Ningbo salt merchants are allowed to enter Yangzhou to develop, the first thing they will do is to clear the place , Drive away all the local salt merchants who are unwilling to cooperate! As a salt merchant, you are in Yangzhou, so you are destined not to stay out of it!"

Yang Chengye saw that the flesh on his face was trembling with anger when he spoke, and knew that he was really angry now, so he could only back down half a step: "Brother Lu, don't be annoyed, give me a little more time, let me take my time." Inquire. There is no need to rush this matter, if old man Dai finds out that I have another purpose, I'm afraid I will be kicked out of Yangzhou without waiting for the Ningbo salt merchants to do something!"

Yang Chengye's words are also very true. If Dai Yingda is allowed to get evidence that he has colluded with the Shanxi salt merchants, then even if he does not die, he will have to peel off his skin, and he will definitely not be able to stay in Yangzhou any longer.Even if Lu Kangtai has strength that cannot be ignored, he can't cover Yang Chengye on this issue, unless he has the courage to face the group attack of Huizhou salt merchants.

Lu Kangtai also changed his mood very quickly. After listening to these words, there was no trace of anger on his face, and he said to Yang Chengye with a smile: "Brother Yang, the purpose of asking you to come forward to inquire about the news is also to deal with This group of Ningbo merchants, driving away Ningbo merchants is also beneficial to you Huizhou salt merchants. If you think about the benefits, you won’t have so much pressure.”

Yang Chengye snorted and said: "Brother Lu, I regard you as a friend, so I tell you these words frankly. If you think my thoughts are wrong, just say it, but don't force me to do it. I don't want to do it." What to do! If you and I make friends with too many interests involved, it will be meaningless. I would rather be friends with you, eat and drink, than become a partner who takes advantage of each other."

Lu Kangtai was silent for a while, picked up the jug and filled the glass in front of Yang Chengye, poured himself another glass, then raised the glass and said: "Brother Yang, I am too eager for quick success, this glass of wine is for you Pay me no!"

Yang Chengye didn't reject Lu Kangtai's apology, he had a drink with him, wiped the corner of his mouth and said, "It's getting late, and there's nothing to look at guarding this place, that's it for today, if there's anything new message, we will contact you again.”

Seeing that he was about to leave, Lu Kangtai didn't keep any more guests, so he got up and sent him to the door.However, he himself did not leave with Yang Chengye. After sending Yang Chengye away, he continued to return to this table to sit down, and asked Xiao Er to come over and clean up the leftovers on the table. A hot dish, it seems that there will be another entertainment next.

After a while, as expected, another man in black came and sat quietly opposite Lu Kangtai.But this man didn't seem to have any intention of enjoying the food and drink on the table. After sitting down, he stared straight at Lu Kangtai, as if he had a flower on his face.

"Don't you want to eat? This is a dish specially ordered for you. Although the environment of this restaurant is so-so, the taste of the food is not bad, otherwise I wouldn't meet you here." Lu Kangtai said in his mouth, Without stopping, he tore a chicken leg from the plate and took a bite, as if the meal he had just eaten had already been digested in his stomach.

"The food is too greasy, I don't like it. Besides, you agreed to meet here, isn't it because this place happens to be able to see the two boats by the river?" the visitor explained.

Lu Kangtai calmly sucked the oil on his fingers, and said to the visitor: "It seems that you are also very well informed, and you know that Ningbo salt merchants have come to Yangzhou so soon. You must also know that I was just now Have you seen anyone here?"

The visitor snorted and said, "Then Yang Chengye has nothing good in himself. If he refuses to cooperate with you, it will be of no use to us at all!"

Lu Kangtai said: "I know whether he is useful or not. You don't need to say such things to influence me. Although he doesn't have much ability, I need to use him to understand the dynamics of Huizhou merchants, because I suspect that the two The boat is not a Ningbo salt merchant at all, but a trap set by Huizhou merchants, trying to trick my musketeer team into showing up in Yangzhou, and then use the government to suppress our Shanxi salt merchants."

The visitor was silent for a moment when he heard this judgment, and then said: "The situation is unknown, you are right to be careful. You must be cautious when dispatching the Musketeers, and don't let anyone have a chance to get a handle. No matter whether this group is The salt merchants from Ningbo are still tricks played by Huizhou merchants, so I suggest that you don’t use the Musketeers.”

"But how to deal with this matter, I'm afraid I can't decide." Lu Kangtai threw away the bone of the chicken leg that had been gnawed clean, and reached out to tear off another chicken leg: "If you don't move, then I won't be polite. ... Master He has already stated his position, and wants to give these Ningbo salt merchants some color. Although I didn't take the credit for this, but if it doesn't go well, Master He will probably call me to handle the matter. "

"Then you Shanshan salt merchants, is there anyone going to grab this credit?" the visitor asked.

Lu Kangtai replied vaguely: "Doing this kind of thankless task is risky and has no direct benefits. No one wants to take up this task at all. In other words, if these people are more bloody, in this kind of thing If you are more active, how can you let Huizhou merchants come from behind? You can’t just watch outsiders sell out the salt in Yangzhou before leaving. If there is no movement tomorrow, I think Mr. He will call my name.”

The visitor chuckled and said, "It's not necessarily a bad thing for you. If you handle it well, it will also help you establish your prestige. If you want to replace He Huan, you have to do something more."

"But you also said just now that it is best not to use the Musketeers." Lu Kangtai said: "The risk of action will be much greater! Since these people have the courage to come to Yangzhou City to sell salt, they must have already prepared. It’s a tough bone to chew on!”

The visitor replied: "Boss Lu, you have to understand one thing. The purpose of our assistance in forming a firearms team is not to make you brave and fierce, or to use it in the struggle of interests among salt merchants. Previously You have been allowed to dispatch the musketeers several times, but it is only for actual combat training. If you forget the purpose of setting up the musketeers, then I can remind you again."

"No need to remind, I remember... You are going to use this method to train a group of people. When the time is right, use these people as the backbone to pull out a team that can go to the battlefield in a short time!" Lu Kang Tai muttered in response: "But if Yangzhou is not peaceful, how can the Musketeers continue to develop safely?"

The visitor said: "It's good that Boss Lu can remember. If two boats can disrupt Yangzhou City, then I don't think you can make good use of this power even if you have ten times as many musketeers."

Lu Kangtai didn't respond, but the chopsticks in his hands didn't stop, and he started to deal with another dish.

The visitor changed the subject and said, "I think Boss Lu's appetite is still so good, and he shouldn't be affected too much. If you change your way to complain to me, you must have other conditions to raise in the end, right?"

Hearing this, Lu Kangtai finally stopped his chopsticks, and said with a bitter face, "I don't have much appetite because I'm worried about the Ningbo salt merchants, otherwise why would I only order so few dishes... Also, I'm not complaining, I just want to explain my situation and thoughts to you first, so that you can understand me and provide me with more weapons and ammunition."

The visitor's expression darkened and he said, "I've already said, it's best not to dispatch musketeers in Yangzhou City. Why do you want to apply for more weapons and ammunition?"

Lu Kangtai said: "The only reason why we don't use the Musketeers is that we are not strong enough and there are too many people to worry about, so we need to cover up and make mysteries. If the Musketeers are large enough, then we may not need to use them any more." After thinking so much, I just need to send out the musketeers to solve the problem. I have money, manpower, and a training environment. If you give me more weapons and ammunition, I can train more musketeers, so I don’t have to do this anymore Do things carefully, right?"

"Boss Lu, you are really good at talking! I know why the higher-ups chose you as a partner!"

Lu Kangtai shook his head and said: "No, you don't know enough! Not only can I speak, but I can also do things very well. Think about it, I promised you things, but when did I fail to do it? Business, I Emphasis on credibility, and I hope you can have more trust in me and provide the conditions I need!"

The visitor was silent for a long time this time, and asked a question that seemed completely irrelevant: "Boss Lu, I have always wanted to know, if one day you really rise to the top and become the leader of the Shanshan salt merchants, what would you do? What will be your goal then? Of course, if you find it inconvenient, you don’t have to answer me.”

Lu Kangtai said: "I still have a lot of scruples when I do things now. I hope that by then I can do things more freely and have the qualifications to decide what I can and can't do. I don't have to think about Yang Chengye and what I can't do now. How you feel. At that time, the goal I want to accomplish will probably be different from the current one, so I can't give a clear answer to your question for the time being."

"Your answer is very frank, but being a big shot is not as easy as you think." The visitor had no expression on his face after hearing this, but he got up straight away and prepared to leave.

After walking a few steps, he turned back to Lu Kangtai and said, "What you want will be delivered to your dock in five days."

(End of this chapter)