Forty-eight years of Qianlong

Chapter 571 The looting before the retreat
Zhao Xin responded quickly after receiving Yu Deli's telegram.He felt that not only Madras, but West Bengal must also have a port base.You must know that the northern part of West Bengal is bordered by Sikkim and Bhutan. Set up a point there to monitor the movement of the Qing Dynasty and disrupt the British layout throughout India.

At the end of October, the "Southern Detachment" marching while reforming the captives finally approached the city of Uliasutai slowly, stopped at the Chubriya post station ninety miles to the north, and set up camp.

At this time, the total number of the southward detachment has reached more than 3000 people. Among them, in addition to more than 1000 Mongolian arrows who were converted and reformed, there are also herdsmen who continue to join along the way just to beg for food.

After Huji and the others got in touch with Zhao Xin, they stopped moving forward.In addition to sending people to monitor the movement of the Qing army in the south, most of the energy was devoted to the complaint meeting every day, so that the reformed Mongolian recruits could complain about their grievances, so as to expose the ugly faces of princes, nobles and lamas.

Before the Northern Navy went south, Deputy General Dingbian Zuo ordered the ministries of Khalkha to increase the apportionment of errands for the ministries of Outer Mongolia this year.

At this time, Baoning was powerless against the North Navy. He received an order from Xinjiang a few days ago, asking him to abandon Uliasutai as soon as possible and lead his army to retreat to Khobdo.And the Qing army garrison generals in the city also received strict orders from Baoning, telling them to restrain themselves these few days and stop arbitrarily beating and scolding the Mongols, so as not to lose the hearts of the people and even risk their way back.

In the past, the Mongolian princes and officials who were good at flattering always liked to add a few Manchu sentences to show that they were "learned people" when they talked with people.They are often flattered to tell others what Dingbian Zuo Deputy General said to him, and what he said in return.For a few insignificant words or a casual question from the General, they will show off everywhere for a while.However, with the approach of the North Navy, it is now gone.

Now they are more concerned about how the ruler should get along with the powerful Beihai Town.It is said that those people in Beihai Town do not speak Manchu, but only official Chinese, so learning a few words of official Chinese from local Han businessmen has become something that princes and nobles do quietly.

As the Mongolian saying goes, those who herd camels will know the nature of male camels.The princes were afraid that their words would reach the ears of the general who had already become suspicious of the Mongols, so they decided not to make public statements that would endanger their lives, and only discussed them privately with their close ones.

For the feudal and hereditary Khans of Khalkha, Beihai Town is really terrible. Even Ekaterina II, who was called the reincarnation of "Chaganda Lahai" by the lamas, could not stop the Beihai Navy's footsteps.Yet they knew very little about such a coming ruler.

The princes and nobles couldn't understand the meaning of the gear and the five-pointed star symbol on the military flag of the Northern Navy. Why is there not even a dragon on it?Or it should be like the Tsarist Empire in the north, a menacing double-headed eagle.

On the ninth day of October in the 56th year of Qianlong's reign, in a small courtyard in the city of Uliasutai, several main figures of the Mongolian nobles got together to discuss in secret how to deal with the current situation.

Bunilatina, the eldest son of Zhasaktu Khan tribe, knocked the ash in the dry pipe on the edge of the kang, looked at several accomplices in the dim candlelight, and whispered: "We sent the Northern Navy to the North Navy through Master Da Lama. There is still no news about the letter. It seems that we don't have enough bargaining chips!"

The Da Lama at the side twisted the sandalwood beads and said with distressed expression: "They don't want any silver jewellery, livestock, or women, and I can't help it."

Sanyin Nuoyanhan Che Dengza preached: "Since this is the case, why not send someone with a higher status?"

Eyidobudorji from the Tushetu Khan tribe suddenly sneered a few times, which sounded gloomy.A trace of dissatisfaction appeared on Cheden Zhabu's face. Seeing that Tushetuhan Chedendorji was just smoking a cigarette, he teased, "I don't know what Taiji has to say? Let's hear it."

Eyidobudorji never mentioned that he had been to Kyakta, but explained: "I laugh because you still have illusions, thinking that you can cooperate with Beihai Town. Don't count on it! They sent it The ultimatum was very clear."

Sanyin Nuoyan Khan Chedenzabu slapped the table and said angrily: "Want to share my pasture with those untouchables? They dare! At worst, this king will call all the herdsmen under his command and fight the Northern Pirates!"

Tuxietu Khan Chedendorji suddenly said: "Well, men like us Mongolians are very brave. But have you ever thought about what you plan to use to fight the Beihai Navy? Are you using bows and arrows or spears? Just Can this deal with the quick guns and cannons of the Northern Navy?"

"Even if I die, it's better than being a slave!" Chedenzabu said unconvinced, but he was very guilty in his heart. The battle of Chahan Tuoluohai caused him a heavy loss.

"If you can deal with them by talking about being brave, then I'll tell you that you don't have to sleep for three days and three nights." Chedendorji stretched out the empty cigarette pot to his son, and motioned for him to help him pack it. Tobacco, then looked at everyone and said: "What should we do when we have reached this stage of the field? We should make a decision quickly. If you want to stay and not go, then the winner has to do what he says. The situation has reached such a point. If you still hold on How foolish it would be to have an opposing opinion!"

The Dalai Lama said unwillingly: "But Bogdor Khan (Zhebtsundamba) is still in Rehe and hasn't come back, so we are going to make decisions for him?"

Cheden Duoerji asked back: "Do you think the Emperor will let him come back at this point?"

The Dalai Lama said sadly: "In this case, the only way to retreat to Kobuduo is with the general."

The Mongolian princes present were all silent when they heard this, and each made their own plans in their hearts.

Since ancient times, the hasty retreat of the army has always been accompanied by the looting of the evacuated place. The Qing army in Uliasutai was no exception, and the targets of their looting were the merchants in the city.

Dingbian Zuo Deputy General Bao Ning had deliberated on whether to plunder before leaving.Since he led the army to encounter a hard nail in Chahan Torohai and returned without success, the morale of the Qing army was greatly hit.In addition, he recruited too many arrows from various ministries, which caused the food and salary to not be paid in time, and there were many complaints from the bottom.

Anyway, it would be cheaper for the North Navy to stay, so it might as well be cheaper for yourself first.So he issued an order on the eve of the retreat, clearly saying that it was to search whether the various shops in the trading city had any connection with the Beihai Navy. In fact, the generals under the ground knew it, so grab it!
The area of ​​the trading city in Uliasutai is not large, even less than half of the area of ​​Kulun Trading City, and there are no wooden walls around it.The two old streets intersect to form a regular cross, with the four ends pointing to the southeast, northwest and four directions. More than 100 shops are distributed row upon row on the cross street.

On the night of October [-]th, a large number of officers and soldiers with torches suddenly poured into the sleeping Cross Street.Among these people were the Eight Banners Mongolian soldiers wearing all kinds of foam nail armor, some Han soldiers wearing brand-new black cotton uniforms, and some Mongolian soldiers wearing dirty and tattered clothes, like a group of beggars in the countryside.

People trampled on the potholes on the street, and soon it became a big mud pond.However, no one cared about all of this at all. Teams of Qing soldiers slapped the doors of each store viciously, causing the dogs in the yard to bark uncontrollably.

"Open the door! Open the door quickly! Let your shopkeeper come out!"

"My lord, the shopkeepers are all asleep. Come tomorrow morning." The voice of the man behind the door sounded trembling. Through the wooden door, he could see the flames flickering on the street outside, which was really scary.

"Damn! If you want to survive, open the door quickly! Otherwise, I will turn you all into ashes!" A Qing soldier outside the door shouted angrily, and then shouted to several subordinates: "If they don't open the door, you will Go over the courtyard wall."

As soon as the words came out, the shopkeeper who came to the door in his clothes knew that something was wrong, and begged: "Master Jun, this villain is just a small business. The owner's goods are all placed in the Lama Temple. We really have nothing left." .”

"What nonsense! If you want to live, be honest! Chain the dog! Open the door!" After the rattling sound, the man pulled the dog away, and the chain on the door rattled, slowly opening a gap, and the door The Qing army from outside rushed forward, hula-la rushing in.

"Everyone come out! Stand still in the yard! Damn you! What about you! How to drill into the corner of the wall! Stand still! If you dare to touch me again, I will cut you to death!"

When everyone in the shop, including the cashier and the cook, was gathered together, the Qing army locked them in the dark firewood room again, and then began to search extensively.Silver, money, silk, cloth, whatever you have, even a few packets of brown sugar, tobacco, saddle cloth and other things that no one wants on a daily basis.

The same scene is being staged in various shops on Cross Street.Because the shops are not big, the search in the house was quickly exhausted, and the Qing army began to search the yard again, tossing wildly.

"Take away the carts, oxen and horses! Take the saddles too! The wells are all blocked! Don't let the northern pirates have a good time!"

"My lord! My lord! I beg you, this cow is my lifeline, you can't take it away!"

"Stay? Keep it for your enemy?! Go away!"

The large-scale looting behavior also caused chaos within the Qing army, and even a new hat with a gold-plated crown caused competition. You want it, and I want it. Yes, why should I give you such words.

After arguing and scolding each other for a while, several people suddenly raised their hands.A strong Qing soldier suddenly stepped forward, snatched the hat, and cursed: "Damn! Isn't it just a broken hat! Don't take it from anyone!"

After saying that, he tore the hat to pieces, and everyone was furious when they saw it, they fought from the yard to the street, and within a short while, everyone's noses and faces were swollen.It didn't stop until a leader arrived on horseback, drew out a knife and yelled loudly.

Samuba, a Mongolian soldier of Zhenglan Banner, snatched a large bag of brown sugar from the main room of a shop, which was usually a good thing that made him covetous.The shopkeeper was lying on the kang inside the house. Because he was sick, he didn't go to the yard to gather. He was covered with a Mongolian robe, and his teeth chattered constantly.

Samuba went to the door and looked at the room where the goods were stored, it was already empty enough for mice to run away.Just as he was about to leave, he remembered the man lying on the kang inside the house, so he turned back and pulled his robe over, then took off his own tattered robe and threw it over.At this time, he saw a pair of new felt boots hanging on the wall behind the door, so he also took them, and muttered: "Okay, I'll just take these, you can take care of yourself."

In the morning, when the soldiers and horses of the Sanyin Nuoyan Khan finally left Uliasutai, all the houses in the Maimai city had been looted, and countless people were crying and beating their chests and feet in the yard.

In the west room of the main building in the backyard of "Meigong Yuji", the assistant Liu Changshun carefully brought a bowl of freshly brewed medicine to his second uncle, and after serving him to drink, he said with a worried face: " "Second uncle, all the goods have been sold out, how can I explain this to the boss? "

Liu Maocai coughed lightly a few times, felt that his breathing was unobstructed, and sighed: "It's good that people are fine, my boss won't blame me."

Liu Changshun said angrily, "What do you call this! The officers and soldiers couldn't beat Beihai Town, and they actually took us to the knife at the end. They snatched all the leather robes newly made by Kaichun."

"Hey! There is an old saying that banditry is like a comb, and soldiers are like a grate. It has been like this since ancient times. How old are you?"

Half an hour later, Liu Changshun waited for his second uncle to fall asleep, then retreated from the West Room and came to the West Wing.Seeing him coming back, several clerks and accountants first asked about the shopkeeper's condition with concern, and then began to discuss what to do next.

Not only are the goods out of the shop right now, even food has been robbed.Just now the accountant sent someone to the grain store in the west to see if they could borrow two or three hundred catties.Unexpectedly, the owner of the grain store wanted to cry even more. There were enough empty granaries to run away mice. Let alone two hundred catties, he couldn't even get fifty catties out now.

Everyone was helpless, after much deliberation, they could only go to the person who sold the goods on credit before to ask for an account.Businesses on the grassland generally do not see money. Herdsmen use cattle, sheep, horse hides, horsetails, wool, camel hair, mushrooms, etc. to settle their bills. The prices of various raw materials have been negotiated before doing business.If the creditor fails to repay the account at the due date, then he can only go to the guarantor to ask for the account.

Although the repayment date for credit sales is negotiated by both parties, and the shop cannot come to collect the bill until the due date, but right now there is no food to eat, and Uliasu Terrace is not in front of the village. That's it.

Fortunately, the officers and soldiers pulling the wagon did not snatch the horses, so the accountant found out the receipts for the previous credit purchases, and each of the clerks divided up two or three receipts, and then hurried out of the city.

　Da Lama, "Da" means "chief officer" in Manchu, and he was under Lama Zasak. In the Mongolian area of ​​the Qing Dynasty, if the number of disciples in a temple was less than 500, a Da Lama was set up to be in charge of temple affairs.Large temples are divided into Zhacang according to the teaching subjects, and each Zhacang has a Dalai Lama.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)