1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 440
For quite a long period of time, the relationship between the Ming government and the Li and Miao residents on the island was not harmonious. The Central Plains regime’s rule over Qiongzhou Island was almost always accompanied by constant struggles with the Li aborigines.And the Miao soldiers who were introduced to Qiongzhou Island as a force to quell the chaos in Li, fell into a situation similar to that of the Li people after settling on the island for several generations. They are all controlled by the Han people. They can only survive by relying on the mountains and eating the mountains. In this difficult situation, they have to pay taxes to the Ming government, perform hard labor, and endure various unequal treatments.

The government's deliberate suppression of the Li and Miao ethnic groups will naturally arouse their dissatisfaction. This dissatisfaction will often lead to major conflicts from time to time due to certain small conflicts. Almost every few years, there will be a conflict between the government and the two ethnic groups. , and small-scale armed conflicts between the two groups.

Because of this deep-rooted contradiction, the public security situation in all counties close to Li and Miao settlements is not very good, and Changhua is no exception.Xiao Laosan was the general manager in Changhua County, and he also experienced several armed conflicts. The most recent one was five years ago, when the Li people in Shizidong cut off both ears of the tax collector sent by the county government to collect taxes. The access to the mountain was also blocked, and the Changhua government also closed all channels for supplying daily necessities to the Li people.However, the Li people's resistance did not last too long. Three months after the supply line from outside the mountain was cut off, the Li people still chose to be soft in exchange for the salt, medicinal materials and rice they could not produce themselves.

In Xiao Laosan's opinion, the usual methods should be used to deal with these Li and Miao people, blocking their trade channels, and firmly controlling the necessities of salt, iron and rice in the hands of the government is enough to effectively control these targets. Mountain people without kingly law.As for building roads so that these mountain people have the opportunity to get out of the closed environment they have lived for generations, this approach is simply thankless and very dangerous-after these people get out of the mountains, they will inevitably compete with the Han people for the limited living space and the means of production, this contradiction is not so easy to resolve.

However, the Haihan people obviously had a different idea. Not only did they want to build a road leading to the inland mountains, but they also got in touch with the local Li people early on and helped them move out.Xiao Laosan heard that Shizidong has reached an agreement with the Haihan people, and the Haihan people will build another residential area for them in the mountainous area five miles north of Changhua County, and guide them to plant some mountainous crops—it is said that they can sell large Price of spice crops.Although the Li people in Shizidong haven’t moved yet, construction is said to have started on the new residential area near that mountain area. It seems that the Haihan people are not joking, they really plan to move these Li people out of the inland. And will support the Li people to start a new stove in the coastal area.

For Changhua County, this is not good news worth celebrating. Xiao Laosan believes that not only will this not calm down those irritable Li people, but it will easily give birth to more children due to the shortened distance from the Han Chinese settlement. something.But since the Haihan people could afford the price and had already paid for it one year in advance, even if Xiao Laosan had any objections, he could only turn a blind eye and pretend he didn't know.However, out of prudent consideration, Xiao Laosan still asked the soldiers guarding the city to pay more attention to the construction site outside the city, to guard against the Haihan people playing tricks.

An hour ago, there was turmoil on the road construction site outside the city. More than 20 people left the construction site and rushed all the way into Changhua County. Xiao Laosan had also received the report.Although the soldiers guarding the city felt that the situation was a bit weird, these people did not carry any dangerous items on them, and they were all Han Chinese. It seemed that they could not find a reason to refuse them to enter the city, so they were all put in the city.Unexpectedly, this matter did not end here, and soon the Haihan militia members arrived, and they seemed to be coming directly towards the city gate. The soldiers on duty hurriedly reported to Xiao Laosan as quickly as possible.

"The Haihan militia is here? There are hundreds of people in full armor?" Hearing this news, Xiao Laosan only felt a little pain in his forehead.

Xiao Laosan had heard about the deeds of the Haihan militia before, but his real experience was after this group of people settled in Changhua Fishing Port.More than ten days ago, the Haihan people politely handed over an invitation card, inviting Xiao Laosan and some famous local landlords and bosses to go to a place outside the city to watch the drill of the militia.Of course, this is not in vain, anyone who accepts the invitation to watch will get a set of glass bowls and dishes presented by Haihan - this thing costs at least 20 to [-] taels of silver in the market.

So almost all the people who received the invitation went, and they also witnessed the legendary Haihan militia who conquered the Annan country with muskets and cannons, and experienced what a powerful army is.Judging from Xiao Laosan's "professional vision", the elite level of the Haihan militia has probably surpassed all the troops he has ever seen, including the so-called regular army stationed in Qiongzhou Fucheng.If the Haihan people's army was as large as thousands of people as rumored, it would probably be enough to flatten the entire Qiongzhou Island.

Although Xiao Laosan is just a small boss and hasn't seen much in the world, he is not stupid. After watching the so-called military exercise of the militia, he also understands that this is a deliberate demonstration by the Haihan people, and the meaning is nothing more than to show the local people Remind these bigwigs, don't try to fight them.From this, Xiao Laosan also understood why the Yacheng government in the south would turn a blind eye to what the Haihan people did, and even deliberately cover it up. In addition to collecting enough money, they are probably under the threat of force from the Haihan people all the time. One big reason.

Changhua County is much closer to the residence of the Haihan people than between Yacheng and Sanya. When the weather is good, you can even see the sentry towers of the Haihan camp directly on the wall of the county seat. The number of garrisons will rise simultaneously with the increase in the number of labor input, which basically means that Changhua County is completely placed under the peripheral monitoring of the Haihan militia.Xiao Laosan had no means of resisting this situation, and could only nest in the city silently as if nothing had happened.

The laborers under the Haihan people fled into the city. Xiao Laosan didn't regard it as a big event, but the Haihan militia came after him, so he couldn't continue to pretend to be deaf and dumb. After all, the two sides also had a verbal agreement. Members of the militia cannot enter the city with weapons in an organized manner.

Xiao Laosan didn't care about wearing a helmet, so he rushed to the gate of the city in a commoner suit.At this time, the militia army led by Qiao Zhiya had already arrived at the city, and the soldiers guarding the city closed the city gate in advance to prevent accidents.

Xiao Laosan lay on the crenel of the city wall, poked his head out and shouted to the people below: "The Haihan militia in the city obey the order, leave this place quickly, and don't do unwise things!"

Qiao Zhiya had also dealt with Xiao Laosan twice before, so he shouted in response: "Boss Xiao, come down and open the city gate first, and if you have something to say face to face, it's too much effort to shout like this!"

Xiao Laosan said: "After opening the door, you must restrain your soldiers and not enter the city!"

"Okay, okay, I won't let them enter the city without your consent, right?" Qiao Zhiya waved his hand and said, "Hurry up and open the door."

Of course, Xiao Laosan did not expect to yell a few words on the city wall to make the members of the Haihan militia retreat. The purpose of doing so was more to show a gesture, at least to make the bystanders think that the situation was still under his control.As for shutting the door to the Haihan people, Xiao Laosan didn't intend to be so desperate. If the Haihan people sent troops to attack the city in a fit of anger, who would clean up the mess?
In short, talk if you can, and delay if you can't. If you can't even delay...then probably you can only pretend to be dead.With such a plan in mind, Xiao Laosan ordered the soldiers to open the city gate.

Qiao Zhiya asked the militia soldiers to stay where they were, and went forward alone, and Xiao Laosan followed suit, and the two had a private meeting outside the city gate.

Xiao Laosan said: "Major Qiao, it was agreed at the beginning that the militia groups would not enter Changhua County!"

Qiao Zhiya shook his head and said: "The situation is different now. We have more than 20 hard laborers who have fled into the city. If you can catch them and return them to us immediately, then we don't need to enter the city. Mr. Xiao, these people are all It was the rebel bandits who rebelled in Guangdong back then, and if they were allowed to escape into the city, it would be easy to cause trouble.”

"How about the next night? After arresting these people, I will definitely hand them back to you." Xiao Laosan didn't fully believe what Qiao Zhiya said, but it's not good to talk too hard, anyway, let's delay it first.

Qiao Zhiya didn't accept this at all, and continued to shake his head and said, "Hand it over now, immediately, immediately, or let us go to the city to catch it ourselves."

Xiao Laosan frowned and said, "Then you don't plan to abide by the agreement you made at the beginning?"

"The agreement does not allow you to shelter fugitives." Qiao Zhiya said: "Well, I will give you two options. One is to make way. We will go in and arrest people, and then leave Changhua City peacefully. The other way is for you to continue Stop here, I will kill you, and then go to the city to arrest people."

"Bold! How dare you murder the imperial court official..." Xiao Laosan was angry and scared. He knew that the Haihan people had a lot of tricks, and they would really do some daring things.It is said that the former general of the Yazhou Shuizhai died in a pirate attack within three months of his tenure. In fact, it was the work of the Haihan people.He even dared to deal with a general, and he didn't seem to feel more secure as a general.

"It is precisely because you are an official of the imperial court that I stand here and talk to you slowly." Qiao Zhiya unceremoniously interrupted Xiao Laosan's feeble argument: "Do you know what we did in An Nanguo? If we don’t surrender, we’ll blast the city walls to pieces with artillery, and then go into the city to wipe out the remnants.”

Qiao Zhiya pointed to the city gate behind Xiao Laosan: "For a city wall like Changhua County, I think about ten cannons are enough. What do you think, Boss Xiao?"

"I, Xiao Laosan, have hundreds of brothers under my command, how can...how can..." Xiao Laosan really wanted to say a few words, but he really didn't have enough confidence to brag.He himself knew the situation of the army under his hand, but if the Haihan people really planned to attack Changhua County by force, these guys probably wouldn't have the courage to fight to the death with their opponents.

"Xiao Bazong, why did you let the avoidable conflict break out? We don't want to offend you, and we don't intend to disturb the lives of residents in the city. We just want to capture these prisoners and take them to where they should be. "Qiao Zhiya passed the steps to Xiao Laosan in a timely manner: "Mr. Xiao just needs to make it convenient for us to enter the city, and the problem can be solved in an hour. After we are done, our people will leave the county and never stay."

"Is this... suitable?" Xiao Laosan's tone finally began to loosen.

"There is nothing inappropriate. Our entry into the city is not against Da Ming's hostile actions, but to cooperate with President Xiao in arresting bandits." Qiao Zhiya winked at Xiao Laosan and said, "Actually, we accepted your command and assignment to do so." Going to the city to assist the government, the situation is as simple as that."

"My commander?" Xiao Laosan was stunned for a moment, but soon came to his senses—isn't this the opportunity he had been looking forward to to be on the list?If he helped the Haihan people this time, he would definitely pay back in the future.

"That's right, Xiao Ba is always the highest-ranking officer in Changhua. Of course, all the armed personnel here should obey your orders." Qiao Zhiya began to give Xiao Laosan a high hat without hesitation.

"In that case, I will give you an hour, don't break your promise!" Xiao Laosan hesitated for a moment, but decided to take a risk.Because he knew that the Haihan people did not need to occupy Changhua County. The area of ​​the camp built by the Haihan people by the sea was almost larger than that of Changhua County. In fact, there is not much use value.

Qiao Zhiya nodded, then turned around and waved back, and the militia army who received the order immediately trotted into the city in two columns.Accompanying the team into the city were a number of naturalized citizens temporarily recruited from the construction site just now. Their main task was to identify the targets to be arrested so that no one would slip through the net.

Qiao Zhiya turned around and saw that the third brother Xiao's forehead was already dripping with sweat, he smiled and comforted him, "Don't be nervous, Mr. Xiao, what I said just now was not to lie to you, we just went to the city to arrest people, there is no other purpose."

Xiao Sanqiang responded with a smile: "This is the best."

Of course, the actual situation was not as peaceful as Qiao Zhiya had promised. After entering the city, the militiamen were immediately divided into several action groups, starting from the north gate, and combing the streets and houses in the city from north to south.The city of Changhua County looks square from the sky, the city is not big, and there are very few places to hide. Soon, some militiamen found the traces of the fugitives.

(End of this chapter)