1627 Rise of the South China Sea

Chapter 844 Xu Xinsu's Determination
Seeing Xu Ke's shocked expression, Qian Tiandun went on to say, "Boss Xu must have heard that our headquarters in Haihan is located on Qiongzhou Island in the South China Sea, and the defense of Qiongzhou Mansion is in charge of the Hainan Guard. Jurisdiction over Haikou Office, Qinglan Office, Wanzhou Office, Nanshan Office, Danzhou Office, Changhua Office, Yazhou Office, etc. There are more than [-] troops stationed on the island. Many. But now the garrison on the island is getting along very well with us, and the cooperation between the two parties is pleasant, and there has been no trouble. I think this method should also work if it is copied to Zhejiang.”

Of course, Haihan’s process of seizing control of Hainan Island was not as easy as Qian Tiandun said. Especially when he attacked the Ming-controlled area in northern Hainan in 1630, he fought several siege battles in earnest. During this period, there was no "harmonious" or "pleasant" atmosphere between the two hostile parties.Although Haihan described the outbreak of war in Qiongbei through propaganda means as "the Haihan militia helping the government to fight against pirates", but in fact, after a few years, many people involved gradually understood that Haihan sent troops in the name of "suppressing bandits" The purpose of Qiongbei is not to kill pirates of unknown origin, but to gain military control over the Qiongbei area.

After that battle, the officials in the Qiongzhou government who were hostile to Haihan died or disappeared, and almost none of them were missed.In the following year or two, the successor local officials changed frequently, and the officials who finally stayed on Qiongzhou Island were basically people who recognized the status quo and were willing to accept Haihan's support with their eyes closed.As for the Ming garrison, it only retained its nominal establishment, and the entire guard system consisted of officers from top to bottom, and there were no troops to command at all.A quick-minded person like Li Jin, the general of Danzhou, simply cast himself as a "staff officer" in the Haihan Army. One person held two errands at the same time, but he lived a happy life.After emptying the entire Qiongzhou officialdom, the so-called Daming garrison naturally did what Qian Tiandun said, and couldn't cause any more trouble for Hai Han.

Xu Ke didn't know all the inside stories, but the Haihan people managed Qiongzhou very prosperously, and there were many rumors in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.In the past, he didn't think about the reasons for this, but now when Qian Tiandun mentioned it, he realized that the law of the Ming Dynasty forbids private possession of swords, bows and armor, but this Haihan even has guns, guns and warships. If it was created, it would have been a heinous crime that killing ten heads would not be enough.Since Haihan has such a powerful armed force, how can the local government turn a blind eye? The only explanation is that the local government is colluding with the Haihan people, or has been controlled by the Haihan people at all, and has lost the right to speak and jurisdiction.

Xu Ke didn't dare to imagine that Haihan had fully controlled Qiongzhou, but looking at Qian Tiandun's natural appearance, and Xu Yuzhuo didn't raise any objections to it, this statement should not be fabricated by Qian Tiandun .The influence of the Haihan people in Fuguang and Guangxi provinces seems to be far beyond the rumors in the Jianghu.If measured by their deeds in the south, taking a small place like Shipusuo is indeed not a big deal.Haihan's powerful armed fleet has at least a few thousand people, and it is enough to crush the local garrison when it enters Shipu Port.If the Haihan people are not prepared to think too much about the consequences and impact, and only want to achieve their goals, then there is nothing wrong with what Qian Tiandun said.

Xu Ke frowned and said, "If the Shipu garrison mistakenly think that it is a pirate or an enemy invasion from another country, and start fighting with your army, how will it end?"

"It's very simple, make a quick decision as much as possible, and then block the news." Qian Tiandun said lightly: "If the local defenders are so ignorant of current affairs, then we can only take radical measures to deal with it. A guard of a similar level Fortress, one or two hours should be enough to solve it."

"This... this is the Ming Dynasty official army..." Xu Ke didn't know how to comment on Qian Tiandun's statement for a while, but it really subverted some ideas in his mind-someone dared to use this method Openly challenging Daming's authority, isn't such an act the same as an invasion?This is really about to start a war. Does the news mean that it can be blocked if it is blocked?
Xu Ke stammered and persuaded: "General Qian, the waterways in Shipu Port extend in all directions, I'm afraid...they can't be blocked!"

What Xu Ke said is true. Shipu Port is a harbor surrounded by the mainland and many islands. There are as many as five or six shipping lanes out of the port. The distance between the east and west sides of the harbor is forty miles. All waterways are blocked, making it very difficult to move.Moreover, to the west of Shipu Port is the Baijiao Waterway running north-south. This waterway, which is more than [-] miles long, leads to the direction of Xiangshan County.If the Haihan Fleet wanted to block all these waterways, it would basically be equivalent to encircling the entire Shipu Port from the sea.This is not impossible, but the movement to do so is probably much bigger than the attack on Shipu, not only will it not have the effect of blocking the news, but it will only make the situation bigger and bigger.

Qian Tiandun replied noncommittally: "If you really can't seal it, then simply make the momentum bigger, maybe it will have a miraculous effect."

Shi Diwen continued next to him: "The Ming army here in Ningbo, since they can't even deal with the pirates in their jurisdiction, will they have the courage to fight us?"

Emotionally, Xu Ke still found it difficult to accept this matter, so he couldn't help but speak up for the Ming army: "The background of the Zhoushan pirate incident is too complicated, and it's not just the fault of the Ming army..."

He said while looking at Xu Yuzhuo. After all, Xu Yuzhuo is a general of the Ming army, and his position should be on the side of Daming, but this time even Xu Yuzhuo is on the side of the Haihan people: "What else is there for a person who is in the same boat as pirates?" You can defend them! If you have the guts to challenge us, then let’s see how good the Zhejiang army is!"

Xu Ke was still waiting to continue persuading, but Xu Yuzhuo saw his intentions and stopped him decisively: "This time when I come to Zhejiang, the Patriarch has an order, and the action will be decided by the two generals Haihan Qian and Shi. If it is necessary to use military means to solve the problem , also under the full command of the two generals."

When Xu Ke heard this, he realized that a considerable part of the fleet probably came from the Fujian Ming Army, but because it was inconvenient to move across provinces, it was very likely that they were pretending to be the Haihan militia to participate in this operation, and even commanded The power was handed over to General Haihan.Xu Xinsu's determination in this matter is evident from this.

Xu Ke also understood at this time that the Xu family did not participate in this matter in an official capacity. The starting point of Xu Xinsu and Xu Yuzhuo was to seek benefits for the family—for example, to obtain a long-term and stable trading base outside Hangzhou Bay, and use this As a foundation, continue to expand the sea trade route northward.Of course, the leading role in this play is from Haihan, and Xu plays only a supporting role.As for the possible conflict with the local Ming army in the process, Xu Xinsu had already made full preparations for this, and he would try to win the target even if he went to war.

After thinking about the interests involved, Xu Ke could only sigh silently in his heart. The Patriarch is still the Patriarch who sent him to Zhejiang a few years ago, and all decisions are made for profit.Even though Xu Xinsu is now the general soldier of Fujian, he still doesn't treat himself as a retainer of the Ming emperor in private. The Haihan people have given him more benefits, so even if he helps the Haihan people deal with Daming's own army, he can do the same.

Xu Ke can't say how disappointed he is, but he just feels that even if he returns to Fujian and enters the officialdom, his future will probably be very limited. After all, Xu Xinsu, who is currently the highest in the officialdom, seems to have no intention of seeking a higher level. Post up.However, he still has to fight hard for this opportunity to perform, because Xu Yuzhuo will mostly report the action to Xu Xinsu afterwards, and all his performances will be seen by Xu Yuzhuo. It's just a matter of one or two sentences from the other party.

After Xu Ke thought it over, he immediately changed his attitude and began to make suggestions for Haihan's plan: "In my opinion, if you want to control Shipu Port, you must first seal off the waterways on the east road. As long as the passage from Shipu City to the outside world If it is cut off, it is still possible to block the news for a few days."

Qian Tiandun smiled and said, "Boss Xu, please point it out to us on this map."

Xu Keyi pointed out on the spread out map: "Everyone, please look, this Shipu City is located in the harbor at the east end of Shipu Port. On the east side, there are three waterways leading to the East China Sea. The three waterways to the east are extremely narrow, if they can be blocked at the same time, even a single sampan will not be able to get out of Shipu Harbor..."

This Xu Ke had previously said that it was difficult to completely block Shipu Port, but he changed his words in the blink of an eye. Qian Tiandun didn't know that this guy's mentality had changed.However, without the advice of someone who is familiar with the local terrain and sea conditions like him, the coalition forces would really have no way of taking Shipu Port.Although these terrains can be clearly seen on the map, the coalition forces have very little information on these areas, which is not enough to ensure the smooth implementation of the operation.

With Xu Ke's guidance, Shi Diwen formulated a rough plan after three times, five divisions and two divisions. What is not sure is how much work it will take to finally control Shipu Suo City.Of course, this is not a big problem in Qian Tiandun's view, as long as the exit is blocked and the garrison is not allowed to call the police to Xiangshan and Ningbo Mansions in the north.

"Boss Xu, don't go back to Xiangshan for the next two days. How about General Xu sending someone to pick up your family?" Qian Tiandun asked after patiently listening to Xu Ke.

Xu Yuzhuo also said: "Get your family members out first, so that you don't have to worry about the future. Don't worry, after you get them out, you can send them back to Fujian directly, and there will be special people there to receive and resettle them. When the things here are done, I will send them The boat will take you south to reunite with your family."

Xu Ke's family in Xiangshan County has a wife and two concubines, a son and a daughter, plus the housekeeper and loyal servants who serve the family, there are less than ten people in total.There are also some long-term workers who are sent down, so there is no need to take them away.He just feels a little pity about the manor in Xiangshan County, it's a pity to lose it like this.

Xu Yuzhuo seemed to have guessed what he was thinking, and comforted him with a smile: "You don't need to worry about my brother's property, after you sign a resale contract and sell all the property of the manor to the person I arrange, the money will be paid according to the current Ningbo Mansion Add [-]% to the market price. I will give you the Haihan bank notes later, which can be exchanged for cash at various seaports in Fujian."

Xu Ke said politely: "The money for this property is also from the clan, it should not be obtained by the subordinates alone, and there is no need to increase the price."

"The money has already been entered into the public account as an expense, so you don't have to be polite. This is one of the rewards you deserved for lurking in Zhejiang for many years." Xu Yuzhuo is telling the truth. The Xu family operates so many industries. How could he care about the expenditure of 800 taels of silver for a manor in the countryside of Ningbo.Besides, apart from the money, Xu Xinsu had even prepared an official position for Xu Ke who was about to return to his hometown in Fujian. Compared with Xu Ke's purchase of real estate in Fujian, it was not that important.

The scene of the brothers being humble is very harmonious, and Qian Tiandun and Shi Diwen also wisely did not interrupt, waiting for the cousins ​​to finish the play.Then several people carefully revised Shi Diwen's action plan together, and prepared several contingency plans for possible situations.After all these affairs were done, it was time for dinner.

Although the Yushan Archipelago hangs alone in the East China Sea and is sparsely populated, its location is right at the intersection of the north and south ocean currents, and its seafood is very rich, and it is known as "the number one fishing ground in Asia" in later generations.Qian Tiandun asked the cooking class to set up a small stove to prepare a seafood banquet to entertain Xu Ke.Rao Xu Ke himself is an expert in the fishing industry, and he has never tasted such a novel and rich taste.

Xu Yuzhuo revealed the relevant secrets during the meeting: "Nowadays, more than [-]% of the various edible spices purchased in Fujian from overseas are supplied by Haihan. There are many spices used in Haihan cuisine, and the cooking method is also unique. In Jiangsu and Zhejiang You can’t eat it. Don’t mention you, even those old gourmets in Guangzhou will go to Sanya, Qiongzhou, to taste the most authentic Haihan cuisine. My brother is enjoying the blessing with you today, otherwise how could it be so good food!"

Xu Yuzhuo's last words were also intended to praise Xu Ke. In fact, since his departure from Fujian, he has followed Qian Tiandun and Shi Diwen to eat special military officers' small stove meals. Although it is not as rich as this meal, it is also an authentic "Haihan" Taste", much better than the Ming army's own food.

After eating, Qian Tiandun said, "Boss Xu, please rest here tonight. We will go to Shipu Port tomorrow."

Xu Ke was stunned and said, "Go tomorrow?"

Qian Tiandun replied: "It's not too late. These thousands of people spend a lot of money every day. If we start early, we can save some military expenses."

(End of this chapter)