1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 560

When it was time for dinner, someone came to invite the two alternate officials to the dinner.Originally, the two of them planned to wear official uniforms, but now they are newcomers and there is no guard of honor for traveling. Li Jin's only four soldiers were injured and sent to the hospital. That would be a compromise of one's own identity.In desperation, the two had no choice but to give up this idea and put on casual clothes.Zhang Xin thoughtfully arranged a carriage for them, avoiding the embarrassment of having to walk to the banquet.

Zhang Xin arranged a reception banquet for them in a restaurant in the city, which covered the entire second floor.However, this banquet was not paid for by the management committee, but by the newly established Danzhou Chamber of Commerce. This was not just to flatter the two newcomers, but to give Haihan management committee face.This group of businessmen were the first to realize the changes in the local situation, and quickly adjusted their attitudes, and began to move closer to the stronger Haihan.

The members of the Danzhou Chamber of Commerce established under the arrangement of the management committee are basically merchants who are willing to cooperate with Haihan.With Haihan's deliberate support, these merchants can not only get better guarantees in the supply of in-demand commodities, but also enjoy higher treatment than ordinary merchants in terms of settlement, transportation, and business scope.In this way, those merchants who boycotted Haihan openly and secretly and adopted a non-cooperative attitude will face quite a lot of difficulties in operation.

Although the types of commodities that Haihan can supply to the Danzhou market are still relatively limited, bulk commodities related to people's livelihood such as grain, salt, pig iron, and coal are all under Haihan's control. Spices and other living materials, most of the trade channels are also controlled by Haihan Trading.The most terrible thing is the transportation channel, whether it is sea or land transportation. For the Qiongbei area, which is still under military control, without a pass issued by the Haihan Management Committee, it is impossible to transport bulk goods between places.One of the thresholds for obtaining such a pass order is to join the newly established Danzhou Chamber of Commerce first.

These bosses who joined the chamber of commerce benefited, and naturally they will take the time to give the management committee some small rewards.Hearing that the imperial court had sent alternate officials to Danzhou, the members of the chamber of commerce immediately went to Zhang Xin and took the initiative to contract this clean-up banquet.On the one hand, it can flatter the management committee, and on the other hand, it can sell well in front of the new officials. This deal is cost-effective anyway.

Zhang Xin didn't know the plans of these businessmen, but he didn't mind that some people did these things with mixed emotions.The general trend that Haihan has achieved in Hainan Island can no longer be changed by sending a few alternate officials from the Ming court. How much influence can there be on the territory ruled by the Han.

After the two arrived at the restaurant by car, Zhang Xin came out to greet them in person, and then took them to the second floor.There are three tables in total for today's banquet. The main table is the local officials and the person in charge of the management committee. Of course, the officials who can still sit here are basically the leading party who have joined Haihan, such as the one who had a conflict with Li Jin in the morning. Xiao Laosan was also present.The other two tables were accompanied by local businessmen and representatives of cultural circles.

The merchant's table was alright, and Yan Mingjun wasn't very interested in getting to know these guys who smelt of money, so he just said a few polite words.When he arrived at the table of cultural circles, Yan Mingjun cheered up, because this was most likely his only local ally.

And the lineup of guests at this table did not disappoint him. They brought together the heads of the most famous local cultural institutions such as Bailu Academy, Qingfeng Academy, and Nanhai Academy, and all of them were scholars with great reputations. Portions are plentiful.Yan Mingjun greeted each other one by one, and Zhang Xin didn't try to dissuade him.

After the introduction of the three tables and the two new officials took their seats, Zhang Xin announced the opening of the table without any polite words.Yan Mingjun originally wanted to take this opportunity to say a few words, but someone at the same table had already stood up to toast him, so he had no choice but to keep his words in his stomach first, and then said after drinking.But it was almost impossible to close the field at the beginning, and the people behind lined up and came over.If it wasn't for Li Jin's good drinking capacity to block half of Yan Mingjun, he would probably have to get down on the spot after drinking this round.

Yan Mingjun saw that some people were eager to try and prepare for the second round, and he knew that if the game continued like this, even if Li Jin, the wine tank, would not be able to sit next to him, he quickly got up and said, "Everyone, can I say a few words first? "

After hearing this, everyone was not in a hurry to return to their seats, but looked at Zhang Xin's face first.Zhang Xin coughed dryly and said: "Master Yan has just arrived in Danzhou, and he should have already felt everyone's enthusiasm, so everyone welcomes Master Yan to say a few words!"

Everyone put down their wine glasses and clapped their hands.When Yan Mingjun was puzzled, Zhang Xin explained: "It's our habit in Haihan to applaud before and after the leader's speech. Master Yan, please!"

Yan Mingjun cleared his throat and said, "After Qiongzhou was hit by bandits last year, the emperor and all the adults in the court were also very worried. Fortunately, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, Mr. Wang, responded properly, commanded well, mobilized all forces, and quickly quelled the situation. Bandit disaster..."

Speaking of this, Yan Mingjun probably feels a little lack of confidence himself. After all, all the people present here are those involved in Danzhou, and they all know how these areas were rescued from the fall of Qiongbei. If you don't expose it on the spot, you must have thoughts in your heart.

However, he is also the person who holds the position of magistrate, so he still has a thick skin, and quickly passed this embarrassing cutscene: "Now I am recommended by the governor, and appointed by the imperial court, to come to Danzhou to take over as the magistrate. I hope that all my colleagues here, all the gentry, can help me manage Danzhou well in the future..."

Unexpectedly, Zhang Xin coughed next to him and interjected, "I think it's better for the management committee to manage Danzhou for the time being."

Zhang Xin didn't have any tone when he said this, but the atmosphere in the meeting immediately turned cold.Yan Mingjun didn't expect Zhang Xin, who was originally polite, to choose such an opportunity to jump out suddenly and stab him, so he was stunned for a moment.After he reacted, he realized that none of the No. 30 people present accused Zhang Xin aloud.

In front of so many people, it was impossible for Yan Mingjun to back down, so he had to do it himself: "What does Director Zhang mean by that?"

Zhang Xin said unhurriedly: "There is no other meaning. Mr. Yan, you came to Danzhou to be the governor of the state, so then do what you should do. As for the local government affairs, it will be completely handed over to you, I guess It will take some time. For the stability and safety of Danzhou, I think it is more appropriate for the temporary management committee organized by us to manage the daily affairs of Danzhou for the time being.”

Yan Mingjun retorted: "Danzhou is a territory of the Ming Dynasty, and this official is the official appointed by the imperial court. Since he is the magistrate of Danzhou, it is only natural to manage this place. Your management committee should assist this official and get familiar with the local people as soon as possible. .”

Zhang Xin shook his head and said: "Master Yan, you are new here, and you don't know the local situation. If you take over the government affairs rashly, you are afraid that many problems will arise. I think this step should be slowed down and taken step by step. Master Yan still Spend three to five months to familiarize yourself with the local people, and then talk about accepting government affairs."

Before Yan Mingjun opened his mouth to respond, Li Jin next to him couldn't sit still anymore, he slapped the table and said, "Bold! The imperial court appointed me to take up the post here, there is no room for you to interfere!"

Zhang Xin was not intimidated by his momentum of slapping the table and the bench, and said in a calm tone: "As for Mr. Li's succession process, I am afraid it will be more troublesome than Mr. Yan. The local garrison last year During the pirate siege, the organization has been dismantled, so far the local security is maintained by the Haihan militia, if Mr. Li plans to rebuild the local garrison, he will probably have to recruit and train again."

"You..." Li Jin raised his hand and wanted to slap the table to get angry, but found that he had no good reason this time.

Pirates ravaged Qiongbei last year, and the Ming army stationed in the entire Qiongbei area, except for Fucheng, were all dismantled and almost lost all officers above the total. It is impossible to organize reconstruction.Seeing that the chaos in Qiongzhou had settled down, the Guangdong government had no plans to rebuild the garrison as soon as possible. After all, it would cost a small amount to organize and recruit thousands of troops.Moreover, most of the troops originally stationed in Qiongzhou were the Guards Army. It is obviously a measure that is not in compliance with the rules and requires a lot of money to support it.So under intentional or unintentional delays, although the war has passed for several months, the garrison establishment in Danzhou has not been rebuilt so far.

It is very easy for Li Jin to take over the position of general here, and he can do it at any time.But all he can take over is an empty shell, not even a soldier to command - the people under Xiao Laosan will definitely not listen to his command.And the Haihan police and the militia, who currently control the security of Danzhou, have no possibility of listening to his command.For this, he already had a personal experience at Baimajing Wharf in the morning.

It's okay to be unconvinced. Li Jin can recruit troops locally. After all, he still has the title of general of Danzhou on his head, and he still has certain authority to act.However, the problem is not only whether he can recruit soldiers in Danzhou, but whether he has enough money to do it.

The Danzhou Weisuo army has two thousand households, that is, an establishment in the early 4000s. Even if one soldier is recruited to pay two taels for settling down, the basic cost will be [-] taels. Can't make it out.And as a military commander who has no soldiers, he doesn't even have the qualifications to shout, unless he is willing to abandon the dignity of a general and follow Yan Mingjun's example to fight with his mouth.

After Zhang Xin choked Li Jin back, he continued: "From the banditry disaster last year, we can find that the local government's ability to govern Danzhou is relatively limited, and the results of our governance after Haihan took over Danzhou, we all agree It is obvious to all. If someone thinks there is something inappropriate, they can say it in front of the new governor."

Yan Mingjun looked at the people at the table in the cultural circle with hope. He knew that the guys in the business world were completely unreliable, and the local officials at the same table had lost all integrity. He could only hope that the people in the cultural world could still Remember to maintain Ming orthodoxy.

However, to his disappointment, all the people at that table watched their noses and noses, their noses watched their hearts, and their hearts were settled, as quiet as an old monk sitting in meditation, and no one tried to take the initiative to stand up for Daming's interests at this time.Yan Mingjun took a deep breath, and said in a deep voice: "Scholars of my generation, who have read a lot of poetry and books, should be able to understand justice and distinguish loyalty from evil. I don't know what everyone here thinks!"

This roll call has come to the fore, and this group of people in the Danzhou cultural circle can no longer pretend to be deaf and dumb.After pushing each other for a while, the person in charge of Bailu Academy came forward to speak: "I will see how the heads of Haihan will govern after they arrive in the local area. Not to mention anything else, at least the promotion of culture and education , I am convinced. Master Yan did not know that after Haihan came here, he vigorously set up private schools, invited many unemployed scholars to become teachers, and free schooling for children under the age of 14, even for literacy They provided all the books and pens and ink. In the past two years, no matter whether the Danzhou students took the provincial examination or the general examination, Haihan gave them financial subsidies, and even arranged for boats to be sent to Guangzhou for the examination. All kinds of benevolent acts are too numerous to enumerate Lift."

The person in charge of Qingfeng Academy also continued: "In addition, Haihan also often sponsors local literati to organize various activities to meet friends through literature, such as the Danzhou Poetry Fair in the golden autumn every year. This year is the third year. It is already considered the biggest cultural event in Qiongzhou. There are at least seven or eight such events in Danzhou a year, all of which are sponsored by Haihan. I can only use the word 'excellent' as an answer."

"Even if Haihan took money to sponsor the local academies, it's not the same as they want to use the management committee to replace the local government!" Yan Mingjun was so angry that he refuted loudly.However, he himself has realized that the heads of these local academies are probably all bought by Hai Han.Thinking about it, I thought the problem was too simple. Since the Haihan people allowed these people to attend this occasion, of course they are very relieved of their position.Wanting to expect these people to show their loyalty to Daming in front of the Haihan people is obviously overthinking.

Sure enough, the people in the cultural circle at that table looked at me and I looked at you. Although no one objected to his statement, no one planned to change their position and stood up to support him.

(End of this chapter)