The Qing Dynasty is about to end

Chapter 280: The Nanyang Diocese of the God Worshipping Society (Request for subscription and votes)

The distance from Huaqiao Pass of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom to Anting Pass of the Qing Dynasty is only a hundred feet, but for Mr. Xu Zhenghui, who was slumped on the sliding bar, it was as far as stepping from "hell" to "heaven".

When his slide passed through a wooden archway with a plaque of "Anting Pass" hanging on it, the energy and spirit that had just been "taken away" by the great man from the Heavenly Kingdom immediately returned to his body, and the pressure that could not be described in words suddenly disappeared without a trace.

"Master Xu, it's safe now!"

Huang Jinbao, who was leading the way with a flag with the Chinese character "Xin" on it, actually didn't know who his real boss was. At this moment, he spoke to Master Xu, who was sitting on the sedan chair and chanting "Great Compassionate and Merciful Namo Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva bless you" in a brisk tone: "Master Xu, the town surrounded by trenches and wooden cities ahead is Anting Town. The town is not big, but it is very prosperous. It has everything you need for eating, drinking, and entertainment, as well as brothels, gambling dens, and opium dens. Do you want to rest for a night before leaving?"

The businesses of "pornography, gambling, and drugs" were prohibited in the jurisdiction of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, but were allowed in the territory of the Shanghai New Army. However, they were not completely open, and one had to apply for a franchise license from the Governor's Office in Yu Garden before they could open.

In addition to the three special industries, opening a money shop (bank) in Shanghai and engaging in the sale or production of military products also required applying for a special license from the Yuyuan Military Governor's Office.

As for other industries, as long as they have a storefront, they need to apply for a license from the Shanghai County Government, Baoshan County Government or the Shanghai New District Management Committee. If they don't have a storefront and are just setting up a street stall or selling small goods along the street, they don't need to apply for a license.

All sales and large-scale leasing businesses in real estate transactions need to be registered or transferred at the real estate department under the Yuyuan Governor's Office, and the corresponding taxes and fees must be paid.

These rules and regulations involving the management of various industries were all drawn up and implemented after Luo Xueyan discussed with the leaders of Shanghai New Area, Shanghai County, Baoshan County, and Jiading County during the days when he was in charge of Yu Garden.

In addition, there is a unified municipal construction plan, which is currently being drafted by the Shanghai New District Management Committee. It should be almost done when Luo Xueshuai "returns to Shanghai with victory" again.

"No, no, no"

When Master Xu heard that he had to spend the night in Anting, which was so close to the Taiping Army's jurisdiction, he shook his head like a rattle, "I am a clean person. I don't smoke, gamble, or visit prostitutes. And I don't want to spend the night in Anting. I'd better go to Shanghai County as soon as possible so that I can feel at ease."

"Okay!" Huang Jinbao certainly understood what Master Xu was thinking. Most of the landlords who had fled from the Taiping Army were like him, wishing they could grow wings and fly to Shanghai. "Then we have to hurry, or we won't get there before dark."

Mr. Xu knew that now was not the time to economize, so he gritted his teeth and announced loudly: "Everyone work harder, and when we get to Shanghai, each of us will be rewarded with an extra dollar!"

"Thank you, Master!"

The strong country men who helped Mr. Xu carry the sedan chair, shoulder the shoulder pole, and push the cart worked extra hard after receiving extra rewards. The group walked quickly towards Shanghai.

Yufeng Mountain, Prince Wu’s Palace.

A unique Jiangnan garden stands quietly among the mountains and rivers, dotted with light golden lights, appearing extremely elegant.

In the memorials written to Emperor Xianfeng, this area was described as a place of repeated battles and bloodshed, but in reality it was a place of peace and tranquility.

A strong man in a yellow robe, with long hair and a beard, was kneeling in the hall, bowing to Luo Yaoguo who had just returned to the palace and saying, "Greetings to His Majesty the Five Thousand Year Old Holy Angel King Wu!"

"Brother Daisuna is here so fast! Stand up."

Luo Yaoguo sat upright on a royal chair, smiling at Luo Dagang, who had come all the way from Hunan to Jiangsu, and asked, "How is the situation in Hunan? When will the Southern King plan to march into Guangdong?"

Luo Dagang stood up and replied, "After returning from Wuchang at the beginning of the year, the Southern King moved to Chenzhou. After the spring sowing, he sent troops to capture Lechang County under Shaozhou Prefecture. He also planned to march along the Wushui River during the autumn harvest to attack Qujiang, the capital of Shaozhou Prefecture. If Qujiang can be captured, the door to the heart of Guangdong will be opened. In addition, the Southern King has also contacted several heroes of the Tiandihui in Guangdong, and is ready to respond when he goes south from Qujiang. If all goes well, Guangzhou will be the territory of our Taiping Heavenly Kingdom during the Spring Festival next year."

Luo Dagang's tone was a little low, and Luo Yaoguo knew in his heart that he was a little regretful that he could not participate in the Guangdong Campaign. "Brother Dagang, I transferred you here because I have a more important mission to give you."

Luo Yaoguo looked at this elder who was from the same clan as him and was almost a hundred years older than him, and said with a smile: "You and Lan Fang Luo Fangbo are from the same clan, right?"

Luo Dagang was stunned. He seemed to hear a name that sounded familiar, but he couldn't remember whose name it was.

"He is also from the Luo family of Jiaying Prefecture. During the Qianlong period, he led his people to Southeast Asia and established the Lan Fang Republic on Borneo." Luo Yaoguo reminded him, "Do you remember it?"

"Oh," Luo Dagang remembered, "you are talking about the King of Pontianak. He passed away during the reign of Emperor Qianlong."

Luo Yaoguo stood up with a smile on his face, looking relieved.

"Although Lord Fang is no longer alive, the republic he founded is still in Borneo. Although it is a small country with few people, it is also the country of our Hakka people. We should help it if we can. By the way, Brother Dagang, have you seen the Queen Mother of the West in Tianjing?"

After attending the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom's capital ceremony, Hong Xuanjiao did not return to Wuchang Prefecture immediately, but stayed in Tianjing to help Luo Yaoguo preside over a "shaman dance class". When Luo Dagang passed through Tianjing, this "shaman dance class" should not have ended yet.

However, Luo Dagang was from the Southern King system, and had no connection with Hong Xuanjiao, and he had no interest in shaman dances. He shook his head and said, "I have never been to the Western King's Palace to pay a visit."

"It was my fault. I should have asked you to go see him."

Luo Yaoguo paused and explained, "The reason why she stayed in Tianjing is to help me train a group of priests who will be sent to Southeast Asia. These priests will go to Southeast Asia with you and will obey your orders directly."

"I want to go to Southeast Asia?"

Luo Dagang looked confused and really didn't understand why he wanted to go to Southeast Asia?
"You have two missions in Southeast Asia. One is to serve as the consul general of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in Singapore. I have reached an agreement with the British Minister to Southeast Asia, Sir John Bowring. The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom will set up consulates with Britain. The British consulate will be located in Kunshan, and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom consulate will be located in Singapore, the capital of the Straits Settlements. Your second mission is to serve as the bishop of the Nanyang Diocese of the God Worshipping Society, which is also carried out in accordance with the agreement between me and Sir John Bowring. Their Anglican Church can preach in the territory of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and our God Worshipping Society can also preach in their territory."

Luo Yaoguo knew that Luo Dagang was not interested in the shaman dance, and his roots were still a big shot of the Tiandihui. But it was precisely because he had a triple background in the God Worshipping Society, the Tiandihui, and the Lan Fang Luo family, and because he often dealt with foreigners when he was a pirate in Guangdong in his early years, and he also had outstanding military talents, that he was the most suitable person to go to Southeast Asia to open up the territory of the God Worshipping Society.

Seeing Luo Dagang standing there speechless, he continued, "Brother Dagang, the matter of opening up the Nanyang Diocese is extremely important, and no one else can do it. After thinking about it, I think only you can take on such an important task. It doesn't matter if you don't know how to preach or do diplomacy. I can teach you how to do it. You can stay with me in Kunshan these days, and I will take you to Shanghai after a while to meet the foreign envoys, Sir John Bowring and Sir Anthony Marsali."

Luo Dagang was stunned again.

"Go to Shanghai? Isn't Shanghai the territory of Luo Xueyan and Luo Yaotou?"

Seeing Luo Dagang's confusion, Luo Yaoguo laughed and said, "I am Luo Xueyan, the demon leader! Shanghai is still the territory of the Qing demons on the surface, but it is actually controlled by my Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. The demon leader Xian also appointed me as the Minister of Trade for the Five Ports, and now I am the one who negotiates with the foreigners on behalf of the Qing demons. After a while, I will send consuls general to the Straits Settlements and California in the name of the Qing demon minister of trade for the five ports. And the Qing demon consul general I send to the Straits Settlements will also be under your command. You and him play the good cop and the bad cop, and first save the Lan Fang Republic.

The Chinese in Nanyang are the most down-to-earth. They will go to any temple where the gods are effective to burn incense. If our Taiping Heavenly Kingdom can preserve the Lan Fang Republic, we will not be afraid that there will be no Nanyang Chinese clans who agree with the Hongmen leaders. If the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in Nanyang can organize these Nanyang Chinese tribes, then sooner or later our Taiping Heavenly Kingdom will become the suzerain of Nanyang, which is rich in sugar, spices, and rice, and controls the throat of trade between East Asia and Europe!
Only by holding on to this vibrant land of Nanyang, can the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom find a real way out for the poor people of the world and be able to sit on an equal footing with Westerners in the world!"

Luo Dagang gradually understood Luo Yaoguo's thoughts, which were indeed unexpected and far-sighted enough.

He bowed and said, "Then I will go to Southeast Asia. But I can't accomplish it alone. I have to bring a group of old brothers with me."

"Of course," Luo Yaoguo nodded, "Write a list of no more than 500 people, and I'll help you discuss it with Third Brother."

(End of this chapter)