Chapter 844 Xu Xinsu’s determination

Seeing the shocked look on Xu Ke's face, Qian Tiandun continued: "Boss Xu must have heard that our Haihan base camp is located on Qiongzhou Island in the South China Sea, and the defense of Qiongzhou Mansion is under the responsibility of Hainan Guard.

It has jurisdiction over several thousand-household offices such as Haikou Office, Qinglan Office, Wanzhou Office, Nanshan Office, Danzhou Office, Changhua Office, Yazhou Office, etc. There are more than 10,000 troops stationed on the island, and the land and water force is more than that of the Changguo Guard Shipu Office.

But now the garrison on the island gets along very well with us, the two sides cooperate happily, and there have been no problems. I think this method can be copied to Zhejiang and it should be feasible."

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 seriously.

During this period, there was no "harmonious" or "happy" atmosphere between the hostile parties. Although Haihan later used propaganda methods to describe the war that broke out in Qiongbei as "the Haihan militia assisted the government in fighting pirates," in fact, it was not until a few years ago that the war broke out in Qiongbei.

Years later, many parties involved gradually understood that Haihan sent troops to Qiongbei in the name of "suppressing bandits". The purpose was not to kill pirates of unknown origin, but to gain military control of the Qiongbei area.

After that war, almost all officials in the Qiongzhou government who were hostile to Haihan died or disappeared. In the next one or two years, the local officials who succeeded him changed frequently, and they finally stayed on Qiongzhou Island.

The officials in the Ming Dynasty are basically those who understand the current situation and are willing to accept Haihan's support with their eyes closed. As for the Ming garrison, it only retains its nominal establishment. The entire garrison system only has officers from top to bottom, and there are no commanding officers at all.

The army. A quick-thinking person like Danzhou General Li Jin simply joined the Haihan Army as a "staff officer" or other idle position. One person held two jobs at the same time, and he lived a leisurely life.

After evacuating the entire officialdom of Qiongzhou, the so-called Ming garrison naturally, as Qian Tiandun said, could not cause any more trouble to Haihan.

Xu Keke didn't know the inside story, but the Haihan people made Qiongzhou very prosperous, and there were many rumors in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. In the past, he didn't think about the reasons in detail, but now when he heard Qian Tiandun mention it,

Only then did he realize that the law of the Ming Dynasty prohibited private possession of swords, bows, and armor, but Haihan had even built guns, cannons, and warships. It was already a heinous crime that even ten kills would not be enough. Since Haihan had such a

How could the local government turn a blind eye to the powerful armed forces? The only explanation is that the local government is colluding with the Haihan people, or it has been controlled by the Haihan people and has lost its right to speak and jurisdiction.

Xu Ke didn't dare to imagine that Haihan had fully controlled Qiongzhou, but Qian Tiandun took it for granted, and Xu Yuzhuo didn't raise any objections to it. This statement should not have been made up by Qian Tiandun.

The influence of the Haihan people in Fuzhou and Guangzhou seems to be far greater than the rumors. If we judge it by their actions in the south, it is indeed impossible to say that they have won a small place like Shipusuo.

What a big deal. Haihan's powerfully armed fleet has at least several thousand people, and it can crush the local garrison if it sails into Shipu Port. If the Haihan people are not prepared to think too much about the consequences and impacts, and just want to achieve their goals, then what Qian Tiandun said

There is indeed nothing wrong with this approach.

Xu Ke frowned and said: "If the Shipu garrison mistakenly thinks it is pirates or an invasion by enemies from other countries, and starts fighting with your army, how will it end?"

"It's very simple, fight as quickly 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 use radical methods to deal with it. Guards at similar levels

Fortress, one or two hours should be enough to solve it."

"This...this is the Ming Dynasty's official army..." Xu Ke didn't know how to comment on Qian Tiandun's statement for a while, but it did subvert some of the ideas in his mind - someone dared to do this in this way

Openly challenging the authority of the Ming Dynasty, isn't this behavior the same as an invasion? This is really going to start a war. Doesn't the news say that a blockade can be blocked?

Xu Ke stammered and persuaded: "General Qian, the water channels 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 multiple islands. There are as many as five or six channels out of the harbor. The exits on the east and west sides of the harbor are forty miles apart. If you want to

All waterways are blocked, making movement very difficult. Moreover, to the west of Shipu Port is the north-south Baijiao Waterway. This waterway, which is more than 50 miles long, leads to Xiangshan County. At the end, Siputou Port is overturned.

Shanliang can see Xiangshan County. If the Haihan Fleet wants to block all these waterways, it is basically equivalent to encircling the entire Shipu Port from the sea. This is not impossible, but the movement of doing so is probably worse than attacking.

The Shipu Institute is much larger. Instead of blocking the news, it will only make the situation bigger and bigger.

Qian Tiandun responded noncommittally: "If it really can't be sealed, then simply increase the momentum, maybe it will have miraculous effects."

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

Xu Ke still found this matter emotionally unacceptable, and couldn't help but speak for the Ming army: "The background of the Zhoushan pirates is too complicated, and it is not just the fault of the Ming army..."

As he spoke, he looked at Xu Yuzhuo. After all, Xu Yuzhuo was a general of the Ming army, and his position should be on the side of the Ming Dynasty. But this time even Xu Yuzhuo was on the side of the Haihan people: "What else can there be for those who collude with pirates?

You can defend them! If you have the guts to fight with us, then let’s see how good this Zhejiang army is!”

Xu Ke was about to continue persuading, but Xu Yuzhuo saw his intention and stopped him decisively: "This time I came to Zhejiang, the head of the family has an order, and all actions will be decided by Generals Haihan Qian and Shi. If it is necessary to use military means to solve it,

, also under the full command of the two generals.”

When Xu Ke heard this, he realized that a considerable number of the personnel in this fleet were probably from the Fujian Ming Army. However, due to the inconvenience of inter-provincial movement, they most likely participated in this operation disguised as Haihan militia, and even commanded

The power was handed over to General Haihan. Xu Xinsu's determination on this matter can be seen from this.

Xu Ke also understood at this time that the Xu family was not involved in this matter in an official capacity. Xu Xinsu and Xu Yuzhuo's starting point was to seek benefits for the family - for example, to obtain a long-term and stable trading base outside Hangzhou Bay, and use this

This is the foundation for continuing to expand maritime trade routes northward. Of course, the protagonists in this drama are the Haihan people, and the Xu family only plays a supporting role. As for the possibility of conflict with the local Ming army in the process,

It seems that Xu Xinsu has been fully prepared for this, and will try to win the target even if it starts a war.

After understanding the interests involved, Xu Ke could only sigh silently in his heart. The head of the family was still the same head who sent him to Zhejiang a few years ago. All decisions were made for the sake of profit. Even though Xu Xinsu was now rich in Fujian.

General Soldier, but privately he still did not regard himself as a retainer of the Ming Emperor. The Haihan people gave him more benefits, so even if he helped the Haihan people deal with the Ming Dynasty's own army, he would do the same.

Xu Ke couldn't say how disappointed he was, but he just felt that even if he returned to Fujian and entered the officialdom in the future, his future would probably be very limited. After all, Xu Xinsu, who currently climbed the highest in the officialdom, seemed to have no intention of seeking a higher career.

position. However, he still has to fight for this opportunity to perform, because reporting the action to Xu Xinsu afterwards will mostly be completed by Xu Yuzhuo, and all his performances are seen by Xu Yuzhuo. How big will he be by then?

The credit may only be a matter of one or two sentences from the other party.

After Xu Ke thought about it, he immediately changed his attitude and began to make suggestions for Haihan's plan: "In my opinion, if we want to control Shipu Port, we must first seal off several waterways in and out of the east road. As long as Shipu City is connected to the outside world,

Even if you are 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 on the unfolded map: "Please see, Shipu City is located in the harbor at the east end of Shipu Port. There are three waterways, the upper, middle and lower waterways to the east leading to the East China Sea, and to the west it connects to Shipu Port Shenzhen.

The three waterways to the east are extremely narrow. If they can be blocked at the same time, even a sampan will not be able to leave Shipu Port..."

Xu Ke had previously said that it was difficult to completely block Shipu Port, but he changed his mind in the blink of an eye. Qian Tiandun didn't know that this guy's mentality had changed. But without the advice of someone who was familiar with the local topography and sea conditions like him, the coalition forces would have really

It's a bit hard to start with Shipu Port. Although these terrains can be clearly seen on the map, the coalition forces have very little information on the local seawater flow direction, the distribution of reefs and shoals, and the status of nearby garrison troops. This is not enough.

To ensure that the action can be implemented smoothly.

With Xu Ke's guidance, Shi Diwen worked out a rough plan. What he was not sure about was how much effort it would take to finally control Shipu Suo City. Of course, this was nothing to Qian Tiandun.

It's a big problem. All we need to do is block the way out and prevent the garrison from heading north to Xiangshan and Ningbo Prefecture to call the police.

"Boss Xu, please don't go back to Xiangshan for the next two days. How about General Xu sending someone to pick up your family?" Qian Tiandun listened patiently to what Xu Ke said before asking.

Xu Yuzhuo also said: "Bring your family out first, so that you won't have to worry about anything later. Don't worry, after they are picked up, we will send them south directly back to Fujian. There will be dedicated people there to receive and accommodate them. When things here are settled, I will send them

The ship will take you south to reunite with your family."

Xu Ke's family in Xiangshan County has a wife, 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 and servants, so there is no need to take him away.

It's just a pity that the manor in Xiangshan County was lost like this.

Xu Yuzhuo seemed to have guessed what he was thinking, and comforted him with a smile: "There is no need to worry about my family property. When you sign a resale deed and sell all the manor properties to the person I arranged, the money will be according to the current Ningbo Prefecture."

Just add 30% to the market price. I will give you a bank note from Haihan Bank later, which can be exchanged for cash at any seaport in Fujian."

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

"This money has long been recorded as expenses in the public accounts. You don't have to be polite. This is one of the rewards you deserve 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 1,800 taels of silver on a manor in the countryside of Ningbo. Besides this money, Xu Xinsu has even prepared official positions for Xu Ke, a descendant of the Xu family who is about to return to his hometown in Fujian. In comparison,

The real estate Xu Ke purchased in Fujian was not that important.

This scene of humble brothers was very harmonious. Qian Tiandun and Shi Diwen also wisely did not interrupt. They waited for the cousins ​​to finish the play. Then they carefully revised the action plan set by Shi Diwen.

We also prepared several response plans for possible situations. By the time all these tasks were completed, it was already dinner time.

Although the Yushan Islands are isolated in the East China Sea and sparsely populated, they are located at the intersection of the north and south ocean currents and are rich in seafood. In later generations, they were known as the "No. 1 Fishing Ground in Asia." Qian Tiandunrang Cooking

Ban opened a small seafood banquet to entertain Xu Ke. Although Xu Ke himself was an expert in the fishing industry, he had never tasted such a novel and rich taste.

Xu Yuzhuo revealed relevant secrets during the dinner: "Today, more than 80% of the various edible spices purchased by Fujian from overseas are supplied by Haihan. There are many spices used in Haihan cuisine, and the cooking methods are also unique. In Jiangsu and Zhejiang,

You can’t eat the side dishes. Let alone you, even the gourmets in Guangzhou will go to Sanya, Qiongzhou to try the most authentic Haihan cuisine. I’m enjoying the blessing with you today, otherwise it wouldn’t be so good.

food!”

Xu Yuzhuo's last words were also intended to praise Xu Ke. In fact, since setting off from Fujian, he had been eating special meals for officers with Qian Tiandun and Shi Diwen. Although it was not as sumptuous as this meal, it was still authentic "Haihan"

"Taste" is much better than the Ming army's own food.

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

Xu Ke said in shock: "Going tomorrow?"

Qian Tiandun responded: "It's not too late. The daily expenses of these thousands of people are quite large. If we start early, we can also save some military expenses."
Chapter completed!