Forty-eight years of Qianlong

Chapter 449
While Deng Fei and the others were waiting for the soybeans to be shipped in Fuzhou Bay, General Song Chun of Shengjing also received a flight report from Fuzhou.

The clan was 65 years old, and he was so shocked that he first ordered someone to send an emergency report to the Ministry of War in the capital and Fukang'an, who was in Jilin City, and then fell ill, and his old illness relapsed.

However, no matter how fast the horse ran, it was not as fast as the boat. Vice President Xiong Yue sent an urgent report to Dagukou one day later.

I drop it!The captain of the Tianjin naval battalion was frightened to death when he heard that the big Beihai ship entered the Bohai Bay and breached the Jinzhou water battalion.

The Tianjin Navy Camp was re-established in the 50th year of Qianlong.The early water battalion had more than 2000 garrisons and dozens of boats of various sizes.However, because the Bohai Bay has been peaceful and nothing happened, money and food were wasted, so they were all abolished in the 32nd year of Qianlong; the garrison soldiers were either transferred outside or sent out to the Green Camp.

After the Raytheon showed its glory in the first battle at the Fuljaha Estuary, the Tianjin Water Battalion was re-established. Qianlong transferred Guangdong, Fujian, and Liangzhou to garrison the Eight Banners, and dispatched fifty warships from Fujian and Guangdong. The largest sea force on the northern coast.

Since the 51st year of Qianlong, in order to prevent the Beihai ships from invading Tianjin from the sea, the Qing court built two circular forts on the north and south sides of the Haihe River estuary.There are four 23-jin "General Weiyuan" guns, which can fire 51 kilograms of shells ([-] pounds).The inside of the fort is made of wood, the outside is made of blue bricks, and it is grouted with lime, which is very strong.The platform is one foot five feet high, nine feet wide, and six feet deep.

In addition, there are 10 earthen fortresses and 10 earthen fortresses in the surrounding area, and hundreds of cannons of various sizes are built inside, forming a relatively complete military defense system.

The elite artillery battalion of the Qianlong era was different from the general artillery of the green battalion. Many of them had experienced many wars and were able to skillfully use the "cannon aiming quadrant" for aiming and shooting.

The problem is that when outsiders watch the excitement, they know how much they have.The cannons of the Beihai Navy have long been famous, and if they can come from a distance of more than ten miles, they will explode (cei, four times) and everyone will be afraid.

Right now, six mountain-like giant ships have just arrived on the ocean outside Tanggu. Although I feel relieved, there are now high-ranking officials and dignitaries gathered outside Tianjin City, and they are preparing to go to sea for review.If there is really something good or bad in this case, a hundred heads are not enough to chop off!
So he immediately asked someone to invite Mr. Tianjin Daoqiao, but Qiao Renjie went to Wanghai Temple to meet He Shen and Fu Chang'an early in the morning, so Mr. Dutong had to go to Wanghai Temple on the north bank of Sancha River Estuary to find someone.

This time, a large number of people from the Qing court came to Tianjin, and the momentum was very great. There was no way to arrange so many high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the city.So Tianjin Road repaired Haiguang Temple, Wanghai Temple and Chongxi Temple outside the city, and cleaned them up.

The three princes Yong Yan, Yong Lang and Min En went to Haiguang Temple in the south of the city, and He Shen and his buddies Fu Changan and others lived in Wanghai Temple on the north bank of Sancha River Estuary, while most of the others lived in Chongxi view.

It is said that the reason why He Zhongtang lives here is firstly that Wanghai Temple is next to the Sancha River, so it is convenient to go to sea and return to the capital; secondly, he can know immediately what is going on in the capital; thirdly, it is convenient to make friends with the admirals from other provinces He Zongbing took the opportunity to make money.

At present, the 39-year-old He Shen monopolizes the power in the imperial court, and has the trust of Qianlong. Except for those Qingliu and a few clans, almost everyone flatters him, even Yong Yan, who is the prince, is very afraid of him.

Without him, Heshen has many minions, eyes and ears, and this guy is also in charge of the "Shangyu Spare Office" for Qianlong.

What is different from the history of another time and space is that the normalization and standardization of "criminal silver" that was originally only available in the 55th year of Qianlong, He Shen came up with it last year.

No idea!The dog jumps over the wall in a hurry, and the pig climbs a tree in a hurry.Jilin and North Korean armies gathered, and Qianlong still wanted to enjoy it, but the money was really not enough to spend.

In Wanghai Temple, Qiao Daotai, who came out after hearing the news, saw Shui Ying Dutong's frightened expression, and his heart skipped a beat.When he finished reading the emergency document sent by Xiong Yue, he immediately broke out in sweat.

"The passing years are bad, the passing years are bad!" Qiao Renjie lamented in his heart.If the big ships of the Beihai Navy sailed to Tanggu and sent troops ashore, all the civil and military officials in Tianjin would be finished!

For a moment, Qiao Daotai thought of the Northern Navy's attack on Tianjin, so he decided to surrender anyway.
He Shen and Fu Chang'an soon got the news from Qiao Renjie and Shui Ying Dutong, and they immediately became furious.I thought I would come sooner or later, but just as my group of people arrived in Tianjin, the fleet of the North Navy appeared in Bohai Bay. This is clearly aimed at us!
It seems that there must be a traitor from Beihai Town in the capital, and they can quickly learn about the movements of the court. This is too scary, and must be strictly investigated!

So He Shen and Fu Chang'an discussed and decided to order people to rush to the capital to report, and then put the water camp on full alert, and all the forts were ready.After making all these arrangements, he and Fu Chang'an rushed to Haiguang Temple.

Ever since Yong Yan was canonized as Prince He Shuojia, anyone with a discerning eye can understand that this is already a proper heir.So even if the city of Tianjin falls, Yong Yan can't make any mistakes.If He Shen doesn't try to flatter and show his loyalty at this time, when will he wait?
When He Shen and Fu Chang'an arrived, Yong Yan, Yong Lang, and Min En were sitting in the room chatting.After listening to the reports of the two, the three behaved differently.

Yong Lang was pale and slumped in the chair; Min En, because of his horsemanship and shooting skills, had been in charge of the forbidden brigade in the capital for a long time, the first thing he wanted was to go back to protect Qianlong;

"My lord, this servant speaks from the bottom of my heart. Nothing is as important as the emperor's safety right now. Besides, a gentleman does not venture into dangerous lands and does not erect dangerous walls. This servant has the courage to invite the three princes back to Beijing, and Tianjin will let this servant bear it all."

Min En said: "He Zhongtang, from what you said, are you planning to fight Zhao Ni to the death?"

He Shen said with a serious face: "No matter what, we must protect the safety of the emperor and the capital. Even if the slaves die, they must keep Zhao Ni's troops at sea."

Min En nodded, leaned forward and said to Yong Yan, "Uncle Fifteen, what do you think?"

Yong Yan also felt that this was too coincidental. As soon as he and a large number of officials arrived in Tianjin, the big ship from Beihai Town appeared in Bohai Bay.
It is said that the imperial court has repeatedly failed outside the pass, but this is really deceiving too much!

Thinking of this, Yong Yan said to Min En: "Don't be in a hurry, He Zhongtang has already sent someone back to Beijing to report, and there should be a decree to come here tomorrow. What to do, just listen to the emperor's arrangement."

After finishing speaking, he said to Fu Chang'an again: "Chengzhai, you are the Minister of the Ministry of War, what do you think?"

Although this guy is Heshen's best friend, he is not a good friend. He had already thought about it on the way here, so he replied: "Master Shiwu, Tianjin and Lushun are still different. Lushun Port is deep and has no forts. Large ships can drive straight in and make a surprise attack; while the coastal waters of Tianjin are covered with muddy beaches. If Zhao Ni's troops dare to land, the forts on the north and south sides of Dagukou will surely cause heavy casualties and return home.

Besides, we now also have heavy artillery ships.Six warships, with masts and sculls like clouds, and hundreds of giant cannons, the servant once heard Yaolin say that the scene of the 'Dingbei' firing alone was truly earth-shattering. "

When everyone heard this, they felt a little relieved.But now that the Beihai Navy is coming to the door, the dignified Daqing was bullied like this by a rebel, and no one can swallow this tone.

At this time, there was a huge crowd of people near Dagukou, and even many wealthy people in Tianjin City came to see the western scenery in a carriage.

A few kilometers away to the southeast, six sailing battleships were mooring quietly on the sea.The huge hull and towering mast made the common people on the shore exclaim.

On both sides of the hull, a door of dark cannon muzzles protruded out of the window, announcing to everyone that they are the most powerful sea fortress of this era.

The British East India Company spent a lot of money on these six sailing battleships, and its purpose was to develop a comprehensive trade relationship with the Qing Dynasty.Each of the five second-class sailing ships cost more than 2000 oak trees and more than 30 tons of iron during construction, and was equipped with the latest Carron guns and fixed ammunition equipped by the British Navy; taking out one alone is to dominate East Asia and the presence of South Asian seas.

In the eyes of the British, only two ships were needed, and even the large iron ships in Beihai Town would become vulnerable.

At this moment, in the gun decks of various warships, the gunners of the Qing army who came with the ship from Fujian are training under the supervision of the British.

"Cannon reset!"

"Clean the barrel!"

"aim!"

"Charging!"

"Reload!"

"aim!"

"Fire!"

Major Thomas Anderson, from the British Admiralty, held a pocket watch and monitored the time it took for the gunners to complete each step.When the gunners were sweating profusely and panting from exhaustion, he signaled to the interpreter to stop the gunners.

"Gentlemen, you only fired one shot in two minutes. This is not good! It's too slow! Faster, faster! Three shots in two minutes is enough!"

After Major Anderson yelled, he looked at the dark-looking and thin gunners in front of him, shook his head, and said to the Qing army leader beside him: "Master Feng, your soldiers are too thin. You should let them eat more meat every day. That’s how you have enough energy.”

"Eating meat? Isn't there fish every now and then?"

"No, I mean beef or pork."

"Bull? Absolutely not!" Feng Sheng'er waved his hands repeatedly after hearing the interpreter's explanation. "Cows are used to plow the land, so they can't be eaten."

Major Anderson said, "Okay, so there's pork and mutton, right?"

Feng Sheng's heart said, okay, thousands of sailors eat meat every day, which is better than what I usually eat?Now they are full of brown rice, salt and fish. Compared with other camps, they are already living a fairy life.Eating meat every day?Not to mention whether there is such an expense, how hated it is!

He pondered for a while, then cupped his hands and said: "This, let me report to Lord Admiral. Lord An, you have to know that we can't be the master of such a big matter, we have to have the emperor's will."

Anderson frowned and said, "Okay. I hope His Majesty, the great emperor of your country, can show compassion for his soldiers." After speaking, he said to the translator, "Let them practice twenty times more. The movements must be accurate and fast!"

In the Qing Dynasty, the total length of the post road from Tianjin to Beijing was more than 240 miles. According to the expedited speed of [-] miles, the report was issued in the morning and sent to the Forbidden City at dusk.

Qianlong was shocked when he heard the news, and immediately summoned Yong Yan, He Shen and others to return to Beijing; at the same time, he summoned the academicians in Beijing, the minister of military aircraft, and relevant personnel from the Ministry of War to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to discuss emergency countermeasures.

After everyone arrived, Qianlong first asked about the defensive strength of the Dagukou Fort.As Fu Chang'an said, the summoned Minister of the Ministry of War carefully explained the situation of the fort and the water camp.Then Qianlong talked about the Beihai ship's capture of Lushun Water Camp, which immediately shocked the Manchu and Han ministers present.

Just like what He Shen and Yong Yan thought, all the ministers, including Qianlong, believed that there were spies from Beihai Town in the court, otherwise the timing would not be so accurate.The thought of court officials or spies in someone's house made everyone shudder.

Agui, a scholar present at the scene, immediately said: "Your Majesty, please move to the Old Summer Palace immediately, and transfer the Fengtai Camp and the three banners of the Neifu to guard together, in case there is a change in the elbow and armpit. Let the infantry command the Yamen and Shuntian Mansion to strictly investigate the cities and towns." People in and out of the city are waiting at the door to prevent small disturbances during the night.”

Qianlong was expressionless, and said slowly: "Ji Huang, what do you think?"

The 78-year-old university scholar Ji Huang sat on the embroidered pier, tremblingly said: "It is necessary to dispatch troops to escort and strictly inspect the city, and I have no objection. But I think the emperor is the king of ten thousand chariots. Leaving the imperial city suddenly, the people in the city may be in panic. Even if we move, it should be better tomorrow."

Agui said: "Master Ji, the emperor is the ruler of the world, and the millions of people are tied to him. He just moved to the Old Summer Palace, so it's not like the people are in panic, right?"

Qianlong raised his eyebrows slightly, looked at Dongge University scholar Wang Jie and co-organizer Liu Yong, and asked, "What do you two think?"

Wang Jie said: "I think it may be wrong to leave the city suddenly at this moment. If the news spreads outside the palace, there may be small criticisms."

Liu Yongdao: "I agree with Lord A's opinion. The emperor can travel lightly in simple clothes, but instead of going to Yuanmingyuan, it is safer to go to Nanyuan Camp."

Agui said: "The minister seconded the proposal."

Dong Gao also kowtowed and said, "My minister agrees with Mr. Ji's proposal."

In the West Nuan Pavilion of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, one could hear the drop of needles. Qianlong sat cross-legged on the kang, his face so gloomy that water dripped out.He somewhat regretted letting He Shen go to Tianjin. Among the four great scholars present, two of them disagreed with his relocation. At this moment, his heart was extremely angry.

Two days ago, the secret report on the sticky pole said that several unidentified scholars with southern accents appeared in Beihai Town. Then, thinking that Ji Huang was from Wuxi and Dong Gao was from Hangzhou, Qianlong looked at the faces of the two. There was a little more disgust in his eyes.

After all, the Han people are untrustworthy!From Kangxi to Yongzheng, and then to Qianlong himself, he has always courted the literati in the south of the Yangtze River, and he did not hesitate to favor them, but how did they treat themselves?

For the sake of my own name, regardless of my kindness and earnest entrustment over the years, I resigned from office and old age again and again, and I had to pull myself down again and again to persuade me to stay.

Because of the quarrel with Heshen, Cao Wenyu asked for adoption several times on the grounds of his old mother. I accepted his request, named the prince Taibao, and handwritten a handwritten letter to his mother.But how did his Cao family treat me?Some of the sons of the family turned to the rebels in Beihai, openly resisted the imperial court, pointed at Liu Yong and scolded Huai.Stepping on two boats is really deadly!

(Cao Wenyan: "I am wronged! Liu Yong harmed me!")
Thinking of this, Qianlong became more and more angry. He looked at the kneeling ministers expressionlessly and said: "Here, the commander of the infantry, the admiral of the nine gates, immediately sent troops to guard the gates of the city, and strictly inspected the gates of the city. People entering and exiting the city are strictly guarded against minor disturbances."

"Hey, obey the order."

"Also, tell Cao Wenyu that on my birthday next year, I will order him not to go to the capital, but to spend more time with my old mother at home and think about my mistakes behind closed doors." After Qianlong finished speaking, he said to the eunuch beside him, "Go and tell his son what I said. Listen to Cao Zhenyong and order him to be cautious in his words and deeds, so that he can understand my painstaking efforts."

The eunuch hurriedly kowtowed and said, "Hey. The servant obeys the order."

Everyone present was taken aback when they heard this, and they thought that Cao Wenyan had retired and returned to his hometown, and besides, his son Cao Zhenyong was currently serving as a bachelor in the Imperial Academy, and he was usually cautious, so why did he take him along?

However, whoever can become a bachelor is not a quick-witted generation, and everyone understood in a blink of an eye that Qianlong was shaking the mountain and shaking the tiger, killing chickens to make an example to monkeys.As a result, a layer of sweat broke out on the foreheads of Ji Huang, a scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion, and Wang Jie, a scholar of Dongge University, and then they slammed their heads heavily on the ground.

"Hey, I will obey the order."

At this time, Qianlong had already decided to wait for Heshen to come back and ask about the five gunboats. If there were no problems, he would order the two of them and the Dingbei to go to sea to wipe out the enemy, to show Zhao Xin some color, and to frighten him at the same time. Those Han officials, don't think that the court is weak and can be bullied!

When Qianlong asked everyone to retreat, he stopped Agui and Liu Yong.Afterwards, he retreated the eunuchs outside the hall, and said to the two: "Ah Gui, I ordered you to go to the Fengtai camp with the command arrow, and transfer the firearms battalion to guard the Yuanmingyuan overnight. Liu Yong, you go with me, and go to the Yuanmingyuan with light clothes."

(End of this chapter)