In the front hall of the post house, several Portuguese men with red beards and red hair, wearing short jackets and shorts, stood around, with mostly wary expressions on their faces.
The minor officials and postmen in the post did not pay much attention to it, because there were many red barbarians from Guangzhou and other places trafficking goods into the city.
This is the strict maritime ban that Jia Heng said before. It has long existed in name only. It was caused by the chaos of government orders. The Guangdong Navy's ban on the Xue family was itself a selective law enforcement and took the opportunity to extort property.
Carlos, the envoy of Bugal Road, was sitting on a chair with a straight back, his body upright in the sunken bird's nest, his eyes bright, looking at the layout of the post house, his face showing indifference, and the little ones beside his hands. The tea cup was bubbling with steam.
After a while, I could only hear the chaotic sounds of footsteps and voices outside. I followed the sound and saw a tall young man with a stern face walking into the post under the entourage of Jin Yifu guards. pavilion.
Jia Heng looked indifferent and walked in.
Chen Xiao was dressed in a flying fish suit, standing with a knife in hand, and Xue Baoqin was beside him.
Carlos got up, walked towards Jia Heng, and saluted: "Your Majesty the Earl, Sir Bugalu asked me to send my greetings to you on my behalf."
The person spoke Portuguese.
In fact, there are local staff in Guangdong who speak the language of Hongyi, but in Guangzhou city, it is difficult to find them in a hurry.
Xue Baoqin on the side took over the conversation, with a sweet smile on his white face, and the translator said: "Brother Heng, he said that the knight would like to send his regards to you."
The girl has traveled with Xue Jun in Nanyang and other Western countries since she was a child. She is fluent in the languages of many countries. Even Xue's father is fluent in Portuguese. Otherwise, if she doesn't understand the language at all, how can she do business abroad?
Moreover, thanks to the training of his father Xue Jun, Xue Baoqin is also proficient in classical poetry.
Among the original works of Red Mansions, Xue Xiaomei has newly compiled ten nostalgic poems, which are not far behind Xue Lin and others.
Because I have traveled to many places, the poems I wrote are not limited to the sorrow and sorrow of women in the pavilions and pavilions in the courtyard of the Red Mansion, but have a somewhat broad vision of a strange woman.
Jia Heng looked at Carlos and said expressionlessly: "Tell him that I accept his greetings and ask him, why didn't Sir Bugaloo come?"
Xue Baoqin spoke softly and quickly translated a paragraph according to Jia Heng's words.
Carlos said: "My governor mentioned that if your country wants to buy fire guns, you can go to Haojing to negotiate. The Sir is waiting for His Highness the Count at Haojing. In addition, the Sir wants to negotiate the lease of Haojing."
Jia Heng frowned and asked: "You have occupied our land in Han Dynasty for more than twenty years. The renewal of the lease should be negotiated in Guangzhou. As for firecrackers and artillery, our country has been interested in your country's firearms since the Taizong Dynasty. But As a matter of business cooperation.”
In fact, I really need to go to Haojing.
Carlos said: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Sir is renewing the contract with your country with infinite sincerity, and does not want to damage the nearly century-old friendship between the two countries."
If we count from the reign of Taizu Chen and Han, the Portuguese came to Haojing, Guangdong in the name of "borrowing land to dry goods soaked in water", and they really had a century-old diplomatic relationship with Chen Han.
Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "Since you say you have unlimited sincerity, you have stolen the land in Haojing, our country, for many years and still have not paid back the rent. You should show your sincerity first."
Following Xue Baoqin's translation, the look on Carlos's face changed and he said: "Your Majesty, the lease treaty between our country and your country was automatically terminated twenty-four years ago. During this period, we have repeatedly proposed to the Guangdong government to renew it. However, your government has been delaying the appointment, which is regarded as acknowledgment that our country’s occupation of Haojing is legal and reasonable, and the rent during this period should not be raised again.”
In fact, it was because the Portuguese had just defeated the invading Dutch and were showing off their power. After local officials in Guangdong reported to the court, Emperor Longzhi was dealing with the political turmoil after the defeat of Liaodong and had no time to pay attention to what happened in Guangdong. The matter of foreign countries.
Naturally, the local officials in Guangdong avoided talking about it. In the next twenty years or so, the Portuguese became more and more emboldened. They began to build an army in Haojing, recruited pirates to join the navy, installed ship cannons, and Expelled the officials sent to Haojing from Xiangshan County, Guangzhou Prefecture, and demolished the gate.
The permanent population of Haojing has also grown from a few thousand in the early days to 40,000 to 50,000 now.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said without any detours: "I would like to pay my respects to Sir Bugalu. The land of Haojing has been an inalienable territory of our country since ancient times. Your country has lived here for many years and traded on it without paying rent. Now Our country wants to take back the administrative power of Haojing, send officials to manage it, and collect city taxes."
Carlos' face changed as he listened to Xue Baoqin's translation, and his eyes gradually showed coldness. He said, "His Royal Highness, the Count, does he not want to renew the contract and expel us?"
Jia Heng shook his head and said: "If your country wants to renew the contract, our country agrees in principle, but our country must first resume the exercise of sovereignty over Haojing. For example, your country must not station troops in Haojing, and at the same time, it must be in accordance with the regulations of the Taizong period. The conditions of the lease are to return the rent arrears over the years, which should total 1.2 million taels of silver."
Haojing has been occupied by the Hongyi for too long, and it is difficult to solve it now that we are in a hurry. However, once the war starts, the navy from Guangdong, Fujian and other places will be mobilized to blockade and surround Haojing and other places.
When Carlos heard this, he felt resentful and said: "A large number of our expatriates live in Haojing, and pirates are invading all around. Without the protection of the military, your country's navy cannot bear the heavy responsibility of protecting our expatriates. "
Jia Heng said: "Our navy can expel the pirates and ensure the safety of your overseas Chinese. As for your concern about our country's combat power, our Han Dynasty has many elite soldiers and can send 100,000 troops at any time to drive away the pirates along the coast."
The issue of sovereignty cannot be discussed.
When he heard about one hundred thousand soldiers and horses, Carlos was slightly shaken, his eyes narrowed, and he said: "Our troops cannot withdraw. Your navy has low combat effectiveness and cannot expel the pirates."
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said: "Then your country can convert the artillery and ships into rent and hand them over to us. Your country can retain a small number of peace officers to adjudicate disputes between expatriates, but disputes with our merchants must be accepted. Mediation and trial by local officials.”
In fact, regarding issues between expatriates, the Tang Code stipulates the system of "offending foreigners", and judicial sovereignty itself is an integral part of national sovereignty.
However, at this time, the judicial immunity of diplomats under the principle of reciprocity had not yet been established, and the modern international legal system had not yet been established.
When Carlos heard this, his expression changed suddenly, he looked at the young man in python suit aggressively, and said in a cold voice: "Your Highness, we have realized the land of Haojing, from a desolate and remote place with not many people to what it is now. trade, your country wants to take it back now."
Jia Heng said: "At the beginning, our country gave you a temporary residence for your business, not to cede the land."
Even the Ming Dynasty in parallel time and space had undisputed suppression of the Portuguese.
Carlos said: "We cannot accept His Royal Highness the Earl's rude request."
Jia Heng sneered and said: "Our country's Guangdong Navy is preparing for war and is committed to restoring Haojing's territorial sovereignty. Moreover, it is unacceptable for other countries' armies to appear on the land of any country. Our country I’m just warning you, don’t say you didn’t predict what you said!”
Xue Baoqin was translating when he suddenly blinked. He clearly didn't know how to translate the last sentence, but after thinking about it, he still translated it in a way.
"Does His Majesty the Earl want to start a war with us?" Carlos felt the will of war in the words of the boy in the python suit opposite him and asked in a deep voice.
The inability to station troops means that there is a risk of being expelled at any time, which they absolutely cannot accept.
Jia Heng said: "The Guangdong Navy is on the alert and ready to regain Haojing at any time. However, if you are willing to renew the contract, as in the previous lease, our country will increase trade with you and open up trade."
These Portuguese people are obviously unwilling to give up the benefits they have obtained, and he is not blindly exclusive. He uses Haojing as a window for communication to observe changes in the world.
Carlos' face was livid, with shock and anger in his eyes, and he said angrily: "I will convey His Highness the Earl's war threat to the Sir!"
Clearly, there was great indignation at Jia Heng's request to disarm the army.
In subsequent Portuguese notes, it was also recorded that the Earl of Han clamored to start a war and drive us into the sea.
Jia Heng looked indifferent and waved his hand, asking others to send Carlos and his party away.
Under Baoqin's beautiful eyebrows, her bright eyes showed worry, and she said with concern: "Brother Heng, is this okay?"
I don’t understand something. Why was it that we were having a good conversation just now, but why did we get into trouble?
Jia Heng said: "It's okay. That's how negotiations between the two countries are. They use force to suppress others. You come and I go back and forth. If it's maritime trade business, we can still talk about it, but we can't talk about sovereignty."
The Portuguese of Haojing were armed with nothing more than sharp firearms, but the biggest problem was still unresolved, that is, Haojing itself was at the feet of the Han Dynasty, and it was impossible for Portugal to travel across the ocean to conquer, and the firearms at this time had not yet been crushed by generation differences. situation.
He just inspected the Guangdong Navy. The Guangdong Navy is also equipped with Franco machine cannons and other artillery guns, but the range and accuracy of the Hongyi cannon may not be enough. But why did the Guangdong Navy fight the Portuguese? naval battle?
Xue Baoqin reminded: "Brother Heng, they will definitely not be willing to accept it. There are many Portuguese people in Haojing now."
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said: "These are historical issues accumulated over hundreds of years."
In the Ming Dynasty in parallel time and space, in the 32nd year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, the Portuguese bribed Wang Bo, the deputy envoy of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Punishment and Inspection of the Sea Route, with 500 taels of silver, and obtained the right to reside in southern Macau.
In the fifth year of Longqing's reign in the Ming Dynasty, the Portuguese bribed the deputy envoy from Haida as usual. Because the chief envoy of Guangdong was present at that time, they converted 500 taels of land rent silver into the national treasury.
At that time, the Guangdong government still sent officials to manage Haojing and did not lose its sovereignty.
In the history of this world, the pattern was still similar in the early stages of the Taizong and Longzhi dynasties, until the outbreak of the Liaodong War.
During the Chongping period, after the Portuguese multiplied and multiplied, they actually formed a state within a state in Haojing, seriously infringing on the territorial sovereignty of the Han Dynasty.
In fact, it was not until the late Qing Dynasty that Haojing completely fell into the hands of the Portuguese. After the baptism of two Opium Wars, the Qing government had already changed its color after hearing about foreigners.
At this time, the Han Dynasty was still in the imperial dynasty. The Portuguese took advantage of the Han Dynasty's negligence in the management of the entire Haojing and seized Haojing. Their power was not enough to fight against the entire Han Dynasty.
Although the Portuguese's firearms were sharp, they had not yet reached the point where there was a technological generation gap in the late Qing Dynasty.
The Portuguese who settled in Macau and other places were actually aware of this, so they actively sought to negotiate a lease treaty with the Han court, hoping to clearly fix Haojing's governance rights in the form of a treaty.
Chen Xiao looked worried and whispered: "What is the combat strength of the Guangdong Navy? Once a naval battle begins, can it withstand the Hongyi attack?"
Jia Heng said softly: "We will have to take another look in the next few days. Later I will report to the court and try to solve the Haojing problem."
Although it is preferred that the Portuguese will not break out in war, they do not expect victory but anticipate defeat. If the Portuguese in Haojing have to fight a war, then the active preparations here can also win the war.
"Once a war breaks out between the two sides, Zhao Yi and Xu Tingye in Haojing must come back as soon as possible." Chen Xiao said softly.
Jia Heng said: "That's what I mean too. I'll send someone to bring them back later."
After saying that, he turned to look at Xue Baoqin and said warmly: "Sister Baoqin, you can rest in the post house for the next few days. Haojing may send someone over again, and there is still a place to borrow money from sister Baoqin."
Xue Baoqin nodded and said with a sweet smile: "Brother Heng, call me if you need anything."
As he spoke, Jia Heng came to the back hall, picked up a map and started reading it. The terrain around Hao Jing was marked on it.
In fact, Haojing is not far from Zhuhai at all. It can be regarded as inland. It just gives people the illusion of being isolated and far away from the country.
Chen Xiao said with a worried look on his face: "I think we have to fight again, otherwise Hongyi will not withdraw from Haojing easily."
Jia Heng nodded and said: "That's about it. I don't know how strong the Hongyi over there in Haojing is."
"I'll ask people to inquire." Chen Xiao said in a deep voice.
Jia Heng nodded and said thoughtfully: "The Guangdong Navy has 35,000 troops. Even if there are 10,000 troops, if the plan is right, this battle may not be impossible. If it does start, it will be a clean house before inviting guests."
After saying that, he looked at Chen Xiao and said, "I will go to the Guangdong Sea Navy again in the next two days."
In the event of a fight, it would be quite troublesome if this naval force could not shoulder the heavy responsibility.
Chen Xiao frowned and said: "Now it seems that Zhou Zaozang is going out, probably because he expected Hao Jing to be troublesome and wanted to avoid disaster."
Jia Heng frowned and said coldly: "This old fox."
While the two were talking, the outsider came into the hall and reported: "Captain, the Chief Secretary of Guangdong, Liu Xiaoyuan, has sent a famous assassin to find something to do with the Governor."
Jia Heng turned to look at Chen Xiao and whispered: "Liu Xiaoyuan is not in Guangzhou. What is he doing here at this time?"
Chen Xiao's cold jade face showed a look of contemplation and said, "Go over and have a look."
At this moment, in the flower hall, Guangdong Chief Secretary Liu Xiaoyuan was sitting on a pearwood chair, his elegant face full of solemnity.
Following a burst of footsteps, Jia Heng and Chen Xiao walked out of the back hall and came to the post house.
Liu Xiaoyuan stood up, bowed his hands to Jia Heng and said, "I have met Uncle Yong Ning before."
Jia Heng looked at Liu Xiaoyuan. This middle-aged official was wearing a scarlet robe and a black gauze hat. He had a fair complexion and bright eyes under his two thin eyebrows. He asked: "Liu Shenzhen is not in the capital of Guangzhou, how come he is in Panyu?"
Lin Ruhai's letter was still in his hand, but he didn't take it out immediately because he wanted to observe Liu Shenzhen.
Liu Xiaoyuan looked solemnly and asked: "Uncle Yongning wants to start a war with the Hongyi troops in Haojing?"
Jia Heng's face was as dark as water, as calm as a deep abyss, and he asked: "Why did Liu Shenzheng say that?"
Liu Xiaoyuan showed concern on his face and said: "Uncle Yongning hastily inspected the Guangdong Navy as soon as he came to Guangdong. Moreover, I heard from the scribe of the post house earlier that Uncle Yongning had already seen the Hongyi envoy from Haojing."
Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "I am just preparing for the worst. Once the negotiation between the two parties breaks down, it will inevitably lead to a military confrontation to regain Haojing."
"Uncle Yongning, the Hongyi firearms in the land of Haojing are sharp. With the ability of the Guangdong navy, I am afraid it will be difficult to fight against them." Liu Xiaoyuan explained, "We can't win this battle."
Jia Heng frowned and asked: "The Guangdong Marine Division has thirty to forty thousand troops, and the Guangdong side has nearly twenty thousand infantry and cavalry. Even though they are invincible, with my big man at their back, these red barbarians cannot humiliate me." of?"
Liu Xiaoyuan looked at the Jinyi captains around him, with a look of hesitation on his face.
Seeing this, Jia Heng's heart moved slightly and he winked at Li Shu. The latter came out of the flower hall and called all the Jinyi captains to be on guard.
In fact, the post house had been guarded inside and outside by Jia Heng's Jinyi Tiqi, and it served as the headquarters for Jia Heng's office.
Liu Xiaoyuan said: "Uncle Yongning, many generals of the Guangdong Navy are engaged in smuggling business, and many local officials in Guangdong are also making profits from smuggling. They thought that Uncle Yongning came to clamp down on smuggling. Governor Zhou had already The hiding general is out."
Speaking of which, it was Jia Heng who used the case of smuggling Donglu to crack down on the eight major salt merchants in Yangzhou in the south of the Yangtze River. Moreover, local officials in Guangdong also disliked Jia Heng, the minister of military aircraft.
Jia Heng said: "I know a little bit about the smuggling of generals in the Guangdong Navy, and I will never tolerate it if they collude with the Haojing Yi people."
This time is different from the Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps, because he originally went south to reorganize the troops of the two battalions, seconded soldiers and horses from Henan, suppressed the Jiangbei camp, and then suppressed the Jiangnan officialdom one after another.
So is it going to be the same old trick, deploying a cavalry army from the Jiangnan camp to go south to Guangdong?
I'm afraid that time is running out, and the most we can do is transfer the Fujian Navy to Guangdong.
So now we still need to keep Wu Tao under control and let the Guangdong Navy Navy contribute.
Liu Xiaoyuan pondered for a moment and reminded: "If Yong Ningbo is to fight Hongyi, it will be necessary to mobilize the entire force of the Guangdong Dusi and advance both by land and water."
Jia Heng raised his eyes and looked at Liu Xiaoyuan, a little surprised, and asked: "What Liu Shenzheng said makes sense. A lion fights a rabbit with all his strength."
As he spoke, he took out a letter from his sleeve and said, "Master Liu, this is a letter that the Yangzhou Salt Patrol Censor asked me to deliver to Liu Shenzheng when I came here."
When Liu Xiaoyuan heard this, he straightened his face, and said in surprise: "Brother Lin's letter?"
He quickly reached for the letter and opened it to read.
Jia Heng did not interrupt Liu Xiaoyuan's reading of the letter, picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and thought about how to play the game of chess in Guangdong.
Although he came here for Hongyi's firearms skills, he would have to fight a war if he had to, and once a fight broke out, it was best to completely regain Haojing.
As Liu Xiaoyuan said, avoid the enemy's strengths and attack the enemy's weaknesses.
After Liu Xiaoyuan read the letter in his hand, he raised his eyes to look at the young man opposite and asked, "Uncle Yongning, why didn't you deliver the letter before?"
Lin Ruhai's letter to Liu Xiaoyuan mentioned the relationship between Jia Heng and himself, and also mentioned Jia Heng's views on the maritime ban and the reopening of the shipping industry.
Jia Heng said: "Since I am a minister of the same court, and if I had come up with this letter as soon as possible, how could I see that Liu Shenzhen was eager for justice and came to Panyu to remind me?"
Liu Xiaoyuan praised: "Yongning Bo Zhenzai is a privy minister with great demeanor."
Jia Heng smiled and did not take these words seriously.
He didn't believe that Liu Xiaoyuan didn't know the in-law relationship between him, the patriarch of the Jia clan, and Lin Ruhai. Well, he was the in-law relationship between Daiyu's mother, Jia Min.
Therefore, there are no white rabbits in the officialdom, they are just old foxes.
Jia Heng said: "I will inspect and supervise the training of the Guangdong Navy and the Guangdong Dusi Department recently."
From what I saw in the morning, the Guangdong Navy Division has a relatively complete number of troops. This may be because they often go to sea to help the generals with smuggling. Many officers and soldiers are actually in good spirits, and there are not many old and weak. In terms of military strength, the threat is It's enough to press Hao Jing.
(End of chapter)
