Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 78 Departure
"Sir, when do you plan to depart?"

"Let's set it for the tenth day of the eighth month. The lunar calendar says it's a good time for long-distance travel. Typhoons frequently hit the southeast in autumn, and the seas are windy and rough. This time is a bit better."

"In that case, there won't be long. The immortals will mobilize the fleet to gather on Chongming Island and prepare to sail south immediately."

"Well, thank you for your help, Brother Xianqie."

"My lord, when you go south this time, why not take those girls with you and keep them by your side to serve you? They are much better than those clumsy soldiers."

"That's fine." Zheng Guohui agreed after a slight hesitation.

The girls that Li Hezhang was referring to were naturally the bed warmers Qiao Yue and Qiao Xing, as well as the two vixen Qian Xiaoyue and Su Mei Niang, who were now becoming more and more beautiful due to being nourished.

The general will return from Southeast Asia around the end of the year.

After the new year, he will marry Li Yanhe, the eldest daughter of the Li family. As the Li family is a wealthy family in northern Anhui, he must bring at least eight maids to serve him as a dowry.

The General's surroundings are already too crowded. We should clean them up properly to avoid any unpleasant incidents during his wedding.

It is better to take precautions before they happen; this is all based on experience.

Li Yanhe, the eldest daughter of the royal family, received a strict education as a lady from a noble family. The three obediences and four virtues were ingrained in her bones. She was dignified and virtuous, but that didn't mean she was a wooden person who wouldn't get jealous.

The wife who is married through formal marriage is different from the maid who wants to climb into the bed. She is the master of the inner house. Taking a concubine must be allowed by the wife, and she will not allow Zheng Guohui to do whatever he wants.

The women in the previous rooms became a pain point that could not be avoided.

Taking it with you when you go to Southeast Asia would be a good solution.

Seeing that the General had accepted his opinion, Li Hezhang stood up, clasped his hands together and bowed deeply, saying, "General, your wisdom is clear. I, the immortals, can only admire you."

"Brother Xianqie, there is no need to do this. Jinghai doesn't want to cause any more trouble. Just find a proper place for them to stay. That's the right thing to do." Zheng Guohui waved his hand and said lightly.

Li Hezhang said, "My fellow immortals are busy with worldly affairs, so I will take my leave now."

"Well, Zheng Gui, go and see the gentleman off."

"General, goodbye." Li Hezhang clasped his fists, took two steps back, turned around and left.

Zheng Guohui sat there with a deep gaze, gently waving the fan in his hand, and taking stock of the current military and political situation.

The more than 2 soldiers under his control are now distributed across the province, specifically responsible for suppressing bandits and maintaining local stability.

There were frequent reports of banditry in the north, especially in Xuzhou and Huai'an. There were always small groups of bandits and remnants of the defeated Nian Army who followed the refugees south and were causing chaos. The two garrisons had to clear them out and kill them.

Fortunately, He Rulin and Zheng Jiabao, both experienced generals, led their troops to attack everywhere. They also set up checkpoints and camps at key transportation routes, strictly screening out bandits among the refugees, and often made some gains.

Overall
There is constant chaos in the north, but there are occasional warnings in the south, but it is generally stable.

Chief of Staff Li Hezhang is a clear-headed man. Although his duties allow him to inquire about military affairs, he basically does not touch them and focuses more on civil affairs.

The army under Zheng Guohui was guarded by a dozen trusted subordinates in different routes, and most of the necessary supplies and money were provided by various prefectures, so there was not much need to worry about it.

The military and political affairs are clearly separated, communication is smooth between the upper and lower levels, and orders are strictly enforced.

A short trip of just three or two months to Southeast Asia shouldn't cause any big waves.

It is now the beginning of August, and there is only a week left before the army sets out. All matters need to be sorted out.

The Governor Elong was the biggest hidden danger. The crime for which he was originally impeached disappeared with the death of the Minister of Rites Fuzhu Shoushan, and there was no further news about him.

After being quiet for a few months, he started to fight openly and secretly with the Neitai Wu Weicheng, using his power to suppress and exclude him everywhere, making Wu Weicheng miserable.

Fortunately, there is still the local warlord Zheng Guohui in Jiangnan Province, and the overall situation is a balance of power.

Now Zheng Guohui has switched to Prince Gong Yixin's faction, and he and Lord Wu Weicheng have already parted ways. Naturally, he will not participate in the factional struggle between the two, but just watch from the sidelines.

After all, the governor Elong is in a high position and has great power, so he cannot be easily touched.

After thinking about it for a moment, I felt that there was nothing wrong.

Seeing the clothes swaying at the moon-shaped door, two beautiful and charming girls walked out, one in front and one behind. They held trays in their hands, revealing their white skin as delicate as snow.

Her beautiful eyes, as clear as water, looked over, and she lowered her head with a shy and timid look that was endearing.

Especially in this hot summer weather
Qian Xiaoyue and Su Mei Niang were both wearing light and breathable clothes, which further highlighted their slender and graceful figures.

Zheng Guohui was already a gluttonous old customer who knew the taste of food, and with his strong young body full of energy, changes immediately occurred under his body.

"Come here, you two. I have something to ask you." Zheng Guohui snorted, stood up and walked towards the main room.

"The slaves obey."

Qian Xiaoyue looked at Su Mei Niang with fear and expectation, and saw two red clouds flying on Su Mei Niang's chubby face, and her eyes were full of spring.

She couldn't help but spit, stamping her feet and complaining, "You little vixen are really killing me. You're so naive and you love to flirt. I won't care if you scream miserably later. I can't bear it."

"Good sister, come together, I'm scared to be alone."

"Now you know you're scared, let's go!"

The two girls chatted in private and followed the master into the hall, closing the door behind them.

Soon, a girl screamed...

Chongming Island a week later

The tenth day of August is an auspicious day for traveling.

Before daybreak, taking advantage of the fresh morning dew and the cool breeze from the riverside, a large crowd of people gathered towards the Guangming Town Pier. It was unclear how many people there were.

On the pier by the river
Led by seven large Western sailing ships, there were more than a hundred large Fujian ships densely packed together. Many of the ships were fully loaded with cargo, pushing the waterline down.

On the pier

Dozens of tall lanterns lit up the area brightly. Some soldiers and immigrants who set out first boarded the ship one after another, and there was a lot of chattering and noise, which was very lively.

As the gong sounded, Zheng Guohui and Li Hezhang arrived with a large number of followers and soldiers, and the crowd on the dock knelt down.

"We, the common people, kneel to welcome the General and respectfully wish him everlasting blessings and good health."

"General, you are a living Bodhisattva. May God bless you!"

“Excuse me, excuse me…”

Soldiers armed with swords and guns rushed up and drove the immigrants back, leaving a large space in the middle.

The muezzin shouted loudly;

"Today, General Zheng Guohui of Jiangnan leads a great army southward to conquer the barbaric tribes of Southeast Asia, spread enlightenment, and spread the prosperity and civilization of the Han Chinese throughout the world.

The benefits will be felt in the present and for generations to come, making it a truly remarkable event.

Offer three kinds of animals to sacrifice to the spirits of our ancestors in heaven!

May my army have a safe and smooth journey, peace and prosperity, smooth sailing, and success in everything we do. I wish my army immediate success!"

"General, hold the incense and lead the offering. Bow once... bow twice... bow three times!"

In the empty space enclosed, an altar and a sacrificial table have been set up, with sacrificial animals, incense, candles, paper money and other items placed on them.

Zheng Guohui led a group of followers holding incense and candles to worship the ancestors of heaven and earth, the river god Dragon King, the gods in heaven, the mountain gods, the land temple, and all the gods and Buddhas in the sky.

The people of that era were extremely superstitious. They all followed Zheng Guohui in kneeling and praying devoutly for the blessings of the gods and Buddhas.

After the worship
The soldiers pushed out more than 30 prisoners who had committed crimes from the crowd. At a command, they chopped down with sharp swords, and more than 30 bloody heads were placed on the altar.

This was a human head sacrifice. Those thieves and prisoners who had committed atrocities after arriving on the island were gathered together for execution at this time, and the strong smell of blood filled the altar.

After all the ceremonies, the first hint of dawn appeared in the sky.

"The first fleet departed and headed south to the Penghu Islands."

Zheng Guohui waved his hand and issued an order. In an instant, gongs and drums sounded, countless firecrackers exploded, and more than 20 trumpets blew, making the blood in everyone's bodies boil.

The first fleet raised their sails, and the sailors cut off the necks of roosters or stabbed the necks of black dogs at the bow, and sprinkled the chicken and dog blood on the bow, which meant that they were immune to all poisons and all evil would retreat.

The captain led the sailors around the ship to burn incense, chanting something, with expressions of piety and respect on their faces.

The first fleet consisted of more than 30 large ships, all of which were Fujian ships fully loaded with cargo. Each ship carried dozens or hundreds of soldiers and residents, all fully armed.

The soldiers were armed with foreign guns, and the armed settlers were armed with swords and other weapons. Two large Western sailing ships led the way out of the river mouth and headed towards the Yangtze River.

By the time the last ship was out of sight, it was already bright, around seven in the morning.

During these two or three hours, a large number of immigrants were loaded onto the remaining large ships. Each ship had an immigration officer in a green robe, accompanied by two assistants, who were responsible for all matters concerning the immigrants on board.

In addition to carrying a small package, each immigrant also carried five large bamboo tubes on his back, which were particularly conspicuous.

These five large bamboo tubes are filled with cold boiled water. Each bamboo tube can hold two kilograms, for a total of 5 kilograms of water. They can only be used for drinking and cannot be used for other purposes.

There is a large bamboo tube filled with light salt water, which is used for drinking in cases of massive vomiting and diarrhea. It can effectively curb adverse seasickness and vomiting reactions.

Each immigrant also had two small bamboo tubes, about as thick as a thumb, filled with homemade Huoxiang Zhengqi water, which could only be used in cases of severe diarrhea.

Each immigrant ship had a maximum capacity of nearly 300 people, and the bottom cargo hold was filled with goods, soybeans, and baked biscuits.

These dry biscuits have been dried by the sun and have no moisture at all. When eating, they need to be soaked in water in a bamboo tube. Each person can also get a large handful of boiled salted bean sprouts for each meal, mainly to supplement the body's essential vitamins.

Each ship also stored a large amount of salted fish, dozens of barrels of light rice wine, fresh water in the water tank, some vegetables and other items, but very little meat.

When sailing on the ocean, it is best to eat light food so that you can digest more and have less vomiting and excretion, and your hygiene will be relatively much better.

Generally, after 5 to 7 days, the fresh water you carry will deteriorate due to high temperature and poor storage environment.

at this time

You need the light rice wine carried on the ship to quench your thirst. This light rice wine has a very low alcohol content and is fermented from glutinous rice lees. It will not deteriorate easily in hot weather as long as it is placed in a cool place.

A large amount of bean sprouts are grown on the ship every day and are eaten with vegetables in the early days.

Once all the vegetables are eaten, all that’s left is to cook the salty bean sprouts.

Fortunately, we can resupply and rest for a few days at the Penghu Islands, and we can get through it by gritting our teeth.

(End of this chapter)