Hao Jing
The night falls and everything is silent.
The surrounding area of Governor Hao Jing's official residence was brightly lit and crowded. Groups of soldiers of the Guangdong Haihai Division wearing cotton and red armor stood around the high white wall, holding Yan Ling knives on their waists tightly to alert the surroundings.
As news from all directions gradually gathered, the Guangdong Navy had taken over the entire Haojing Island, and Jia Heng was "invited" to stay in a small brick-concrete building southwest of the Australian Governor's official residence.
In the study room, sitting behind the mahogany bookshelf, he picked up a volume and read it.
At this time, with the sound of light footsteps, Chen Xiao entered the study and handed over the book in his hand. His face was as cold as frost and he whispered: "This is the information sent from Jinling. In recent months, Jiangnan The recruitment and training of soldiers in the Jiangbei camp has gradually been filled, and training has begun. The salt voting method in the Lianghuai area has been a great success. Huaiyan salt has recently been sold well in the salt areas of Liangjiang and Huguang provinces. The Lianghuai Salt Transportation Department has made a lot of profits. , in less than a month, 800,000 taels of profit have been put into the warehouse."
During the period when Jia Heng set off from Jinling and arrived at the Guangdong Sea, various affairs in Jinling and Yangzhou were in full swing after Jia Heng made a start, and the salt affairs and military affairs achieved remarkable results.
Lin Ruhai and Qi Kun were both capable ministers and officials. After Jia Heng determined the longitude and latitude, he led the officials of the Lianghuai Salt Transportation Department to conduct an inventory of the Lianghuai Salt Fields, mainly to find out the salt cooking situation of the salt cooking households. At the same time, The method of sun-salting was introduced.
The arrival of the Jia family's young generals such as Xie Zaiyi and Cai Quan helped Jia Heng strengthen his control over the soldiers and horses of the Jiangnan camp and began training.
Navy, not a single infantryman was left behind.
Hearing this, Jia Heng reached out to take the book in Chen Xiao's hand. He frowned slightly and lowered his eyes to read. The book mainly contained an introduction to the situation of the Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps.
The Sixth Battalion still lacked a high-level military academy to command the first level, but this did not prevent Xie Zaiyi and others from training and rectifying the Jiangnan Camp. They had started vigorous rectification a few days ago.
Jia Heng read the text on it, and after a while, he sighed with emotion: "With the method of voting for salt, we can then promote the Hedong and Changlu salt fields, so that profiteers and cunning officials have nowhere to hide. It is impossible to say that we can do more for you every year." The state collected nearly 10 million taels of extra tax."
Listening to the young man's emotion, Chen Xiao couldn't help but take out a piece of paper from his sleeve and whispered: "I also have a letter from Fei Ge, saying that the eldest princess has arrived at Huai'an Mansion by boat and will arrive in a few days. It’s Yangzhou.”
Hearing this, Jia Heng felt slightly happy and asked in surprise: "Are we almost to Yangzhou?"
After all calculations, it was indeed correct. It has been quite a while since he came to Guangzhou.
He took the paper from Chen Xiao, read it, frowned, and said softly: "Xianning and Chanyue are both here."
As for who came from the Jia family, it was not mentioned on the paper. It was just that Jinyi had to prepare for security matters, and it was reported that Princess Xianning and Princess Qinghe also went south with the ship.
Chen Xiao suddenly said quietly: "This can be regarded as hiding out, otherwise there would not be a fight between Xianning and Concubine Zhen's sister-in-law."
Jia Heng put down the paper, looked at the girl with a warm smile, and whispered: "You don't have to watch the wind at that time, you can help Xianning."
Chen Xiao: "???"
Immediately she reacted, the girl's beautiful brows suddenly contained a cold look, and she glared at the young man.
Sure enough, he had those dirty thoughts.
Jia Heng picked up the teacup, took a sip, and changed the subject and said: "After everything is sorted out here in Haojing, we will take a boat with firecrackers and some craftsmen and go back early, and we will also go back to Jiangnan. A little worried."
Duduo probably won't give up. Now that he is active in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, it's been almost a month, and he doesn't know what kind of trouble is brewing.
At this moment, the voice of Li Shu, a member of the Jinyi Hundred Household, came from under the eaves and said loudly: "Commander, Xu Jiancheng and Zhao Qianhu are here."
Jia Heng said: "Let them come in."
With that said, he and Chen Xiao left the study and came to the reception room, where they saw Xu Tingye and Zhao Yi walking quickly.
Xu Tingye bowed his hands to Jia Heng and said, "Xu Tingye, the lower official, has met Mr. Jia."
Zhao Yi looked slightly solemn, cupped his fists and said, "Captain."
This was the first time that Jia Heng saw the two people since he sent them to Haojing to supervise the army. Jia Heng looked at Xu Tingye with a gentler look and said, "Xu Jiancheng, Zhao Qianhu, thank you for your hard work. My son, I haven’t seen him for nearly a year.”
After the two parties exchanged greetings, the guests and hosts took their seats. Jia Heng looked at Xu Tingye aggressively and asked: "Xu Jiancheng, I have been spending some time in Haojing. What do you think of the Hongyi people's fire cannons?"
Xu Tingye's tanned face showed a look of complexity and emotion, and he said, "If I hadn't been sent to Haojing by Mr. Jia, I wouldn't have known that Hongyi's firearms were so powerful."
Jia Heng chuckled lightly and said: "Back in the Ming Dynasty before and after Zhengde and Jiajing, Hongyi's firearms such as the Franco machine gun were already powerful in the north and south. However, after a hundred years, Hongyi's fire cannons have improved rapidly. Even if they follow the steps, they will continue to advance. Over the years, the skills have gradually matured over time, and our Han Dynasty weapons still use firearms that have been used for hundreds of years. In the previous battle between the Guangdong Navy and the Hongyi ships, if our warships had not had many muskets, I’m afraid the outcome will be particularly uncertain.”
Xu Tingye nodded and agreed: "What Mr. Jia said is true. I think if the Hongyi cannon is equipped with the sergeants of our court, it will be even more powerful to our Han Dynasty. When thousands of cannons fire at once, why worry about the Jurchen injustice?" ?”
Jia Heng smiled and said: "Xu Jiancheng, it is not easy to fire a thousand cannons at once. However, if we want to make Hongyi cannons or even improve the manufacturing process, it is best to achieve independent casting. Please leave these to us." All the talented people in the Ordnance Supervision."
"Don't worry, Sir. In fact, the main difficulty in making paper from Hongyi Cannon is the blunderbuss. You also know that some craftsmen are not skilled enough. The blunderbuss tubes are rough and easy to explode, or they are difficult to use after a short period of time." Xu Tingye explained. He said, looking full of confidence.
Jia Heng nodded slightly and said: "It is better to train more skilled workers to form a set of mature manufacturing techniques. I plan to introduce Hongyi craftsmen to teach the techniques, and recruit translators from Guangdong to help make cannons." Maybe make some more cannons.”
After previous negotiations with Bugalu, the thirty-eight red barbarian cannons installed by the Portuguese on the beacons and ships at Haojing Bank were sold to the Han army at a low price, and twenty-eight cannons were sold to the Han army at a low price. At the same time, they were added to the remaining cannons stored in the Portuguese warehouses. The well-made Lumi gun was used to offset part of the rent owed to Chen Han for twenty-one years, which amounted to 1.2 million taels of silver.
As for flintlock guns, Hao Jing also has nearly a hundred. Others need to be temporarily manufactured or transported from China. Jia Heng immediately ordered 3,000 guns and a large amount of ammunition to replace the blunderbuss in the hands of Shenji Battalion in Guoyong Camp. .
The flintlock gun was actually invented by Bi Maokang in the Ming Dynasty at the end of the Ming Dynasty in parallel time and space. This was already a hundred years behind the West. However, because of Bi Maokang's personal career decline, it was not promoted like the sweet potato.
From the fire door gun to the matchlock gun, and then to the flintlock gun, in fact, the current equipment of the Dahan Shenji Battalion is the matchlock gun.
Xu Tingye said: "There are also craftsmen who forge gun barrels and refine ammunition. These can also be introduced to Shenjing. Fire guns and these are all consumables."
Jia Heng said: "These officials will negotiate with the Portuguese in Haojing and try to introduce these into our country as soon as possible."
With the size and wealth of the Han Dynasty, as long as they catch up, they can quickly establish an advantage in military equipment.
After Jia Heng said this, he looked at Zhao Yi who was not far away and asked: "Zhao Qianhu has worked hard this time. When he gets to Beijing, Zhao Qianhu can go to Beizhen Fusi as an errand."
"Thank you, Commander." Upon hearing this, Zhao Yi quickly stood up and cupped his hands.
In the Jinyi Mansion sequence, among the North and South Town Fusi, the North Town Fusi is the most prestigious.
After Xu Tingye left, Jia Heng looked at the bright moonlit autumn night in the courtyard. The autumn wind in early October blew in his face, bringing a bit of coolness.
Under Chen Xiao's beautiful eyebrows, she stared at the young man with clear eyes and asked softly: "Hao Jing is almost done, what are your plans next?"
Jia Heng said: "Open the sea to the imperial court and rebuild the Shibo Tiju Division."
Compared with the complicated personnel affairs in Jiangnan Jiangbei Camp and Jiangnan officialdom, the trip to Guangdong did not have many obstacles. No local officials dared to confront him. After all, the economic focus of the entire Han Dynasty was not Guangdong Province, but Jiangnan.
Jia Heng said: "Tomorrow, when we wait for the news from Carlos, we will walk around on Haojing Island."
The Hongyi of this era were not only far superior to the Han in firecracker skills, but also had their own unique skills in other skills. Let's see if they can find something useful.
Chen Xiao said "hmm".
Jia Heng smiled and said: "If you are sleepy, you can go and rest first. I will write a memorial later."
Chen Xiao pursed her pink lips and said softly: "I'm not sleepy at the moment."
Hearing this, Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at the girl, and said softly: "Well, it doesn't seem to be too late now, so wait until I finish writing the memorial."
Xiaoxiao Xu has been lonely for too long and seems to want to find someone to talk to.
As he spoke, he picked up the brush and started writing the memorial.
Chen Xiao sat down, picked up the tea cup, and took a sip. He looked at the young man who was sitting upright and writing in handwriting. His eyes were focused under his two sword-shaped eyebrows, his expression extremely focused.
Chen Xiaoqing's eyes flashed, and an indescribable peace filled her heart.
About two-quarters of an hour later, Jia Heng put the brush on the pen holder, waited for the writing on the memorial to dry, and rubbed his sore wrist.
In addition to describing the importance of Haojing and Hongyi firearms, it also records what he saw and heard in Guangdong during this period.
Hao Jing was only suffering from scabies, and even this time it is difficult to say that he had any great achievements.
Jia Heng picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and left the desk, saying, "Go for a walk? Or play a game of chess? There happens to be chess here."
"Let's play chess." Chen Xiao pursed his lips and said softly.
It always felt a little weird, but I played a lot of chess with him.
Jia Heng took the chess board, arranged the chess pieces, and said softly: "Among so many people, you are the strongest at chess."
Chen Xiao paused for a moment and said, "If one day the Jurchens in Liaodong are wiped out, what will you do?"
Jia Heng was startled for a moment and said softly: "At that time, I might walk around the Han Dynasty, or go overseas to see. Didn't Baoqin just take a boat to many places, look up at the vastness of the universe, and observe the prosperity of categories? , to express my love for the mountains and rivers, and wait until then to bring Xianning, Chanyue and the others with me."
At the end of the sentence, he looked at the girl opposite and asked, "Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"
Chen Xiao's eyebrows furrowed, her eyes as clear as jade moved, and she said: "It's good that you think so. Retreat bravely from the rapids and protect yourself wisely."
Jia Heng said: "It's possible..."
Chen Xiao's eyes sparkled, his heart beat slightly, and he asked softly: "What could it be?"
Although I knew that given the situation of the young man in front of me, it would be impossible for him to have such ambition, there was still some hope in his heart.
"It's nothing." Jia Heng shook his head and said.
Falling into infamy, so that future generations will no longer be invaded by Western barbarians, is a crime for the present, but a benefit for the future, but it should be a very distant thing.
"Xiaoxiao, where are you?" Jia Heng asked casually to the girl who looked deep in thought.
Chen Xiaozheng kept thinking to himself, his eyes flickered, and he looked at the young man intently and said, "What about me?"
"You can't go on like this forever. You will eventually..." Jia Heng said.
Jia Heng swallowed back the wife who was in his mouth, changed his words, and said softly: "It has to be settled in the end, and we can't just float around in the world forever."
With that said, Chen Xiao was killed as a pawn.
Chen Xiao didn't speak, just played chess pieces.
When will she be floating in the world all the time?
Seeing the girl's silence, Jia Heng stopped talking and asked, "No news from Carlos?"
Chen Xiao said in a clear voice: "In the afternoon, the Guangdong Marine Corps has already gone after them. They don't have much fresh water and supplies. They shouldn't be able to escape far. I think there will be news soon."
This is not a warship with a speed of dozens of knots. The sailboat needs supplies at sea, and Carlos will have to dock to replenish it before long.
Jia Heng nodded, said nothing, and continued to play chess with Chen Xiao.
The next day, the sky was bright and seagulls were flying across the sky.
Australian Governor's Official Residence
Witnessed by a group of Guangdong officials, Jia Heng signed a contract with Bujia Road, exchanged contract documents, and then followed Bujia Road to visit the factory of Portuguese artificial muskets and bullets.
This was also the place where Xu Tingye and Zhao Yi went to bribe the craftsmen, pretend to be workers and sneak in, and were discovered by Bugalu.
Haojing has been occupied by Portuguese people for a long time, and sometimes they fought with invading pirates. Firearms and ammunition needed to be replenished. It was impossible to transport and replace them from home every time, so the Portuguese built a small arsenal.
The factory covers an area of more than ten acres, and there are Portuguese craftsmen inside, as well as Han Chinese, but they are only engaged in low-end manual work.
Bugalou introduced: "Count, this is the place where fire guns are made. Our gun tubes have been repeatedly polished by three shifts of workers, and there are many good ones."
Jia Heng looked at Xu Tingye on the side and asked, "Xu Jiancheng."
Xu Tingye was observing the factory intently at the moment, taking in the skills of the Portuguese craftsmen, with a look of amazement on his face.
He said why the cannon barrel is so smooth, that’s why!
Previously, he and Zhao Yi wanted to sneak in here pretending to be workers, but were unable to get close to the core area. Now looking at it like this, they finally got a glimpse of the construction details of this Western fire gun.
Youdao is an expert who watches the door, while an outsider watches the excitement. At a glance, these Yi craftsmen are nimble and skillful in their movements, and they are polishing the blunderbuss tubes with various unknown tools.
Jia Heng looked at this scene and nodded secretly. Now he will introduce the flintlock gun to build the line. After vigorously promoting it in the future, he will have a great chance of winning against Donglu.
As for whether the Donglu will also use flintlock guns, there is no need to worry, it is still a good thing, because the resource reserves and populations of the two countries are much different. Once they fall into an arms race, the Jurchens will be brought down first. .
If you don't practice riding and shooting well, you have to use your own shortcomings to attack others' strengths.
The only thing I'm worried about is the Hongyi cannon, which needs to be kept secret.
Jiaheng and Bujialu walked around the arsenal. At noon, Jiaheng and Bujialu came to the Governor's residence again and had a meal.
Bugalu's wife cooked some meals with unique Portuguese tastes and some desserts. After the meal was finished, Jia Heng talked about business with Bugalu during afternoon tea.
Bugalu said softly: "Count, your country has purchased so many cannons, and it is indeed necessary to introduce a construction line, but why do you need so many cannons?
Jia Heng muttered: "Our country has about two million troops, but there is a small country to the north, inhabited by a group of barbarians. They often go south to harass and invade our country."
Even though Bujialu served as the governor of Australia in Haojing for seven or eight years, due to the underdevelopment of information at this time, the governor's knowledge of the Han Dynasty was limited to Guangdong. For example, other provinces of the Han Dynasty were only limited to Guangdong. Just heard about the name.
On the far northeastern border, there was a small country that harassed the Han people from time to time, plundering goods and people.
Jia Heng smiled and said: "Don't worry, sir. The distance between our two countries means that even if we get a blunderbuss, we will not go all the way overseas to conquer an unknown country. There is no such distance in Chinese history." Traveling thousands of miles to conquer other countries.”
Bugaloo said: "I'm not worried about this. From the earl's point of view, even if I don't sell you cannons, you will buy them from others, but I feel that so many cannons may not be produced in a short time. "
I felt a little relieved. With two million troops, what was the population of their country?
At this moment, Haili came up to me with a smile, put down the coffee, and said, "Please use it slowly."
Nona on the side looked at Jia Heng who was talking about things with her father, and she was a little curious, how could such a Han official speak foreign languages?
Jia Heng took a sip of coffee and nodded to Nona. The little girl was not afraid of anything.
At this moment, a guard from outside ran from not far away and said: "Captain, General Wu intercepted Carlos in Wanshan Town."
When Jia Heng heard this, his face paused slightly, he put down the tea cup in his hand, and asked: "How did you catch him?"
Bugalu on the side also put down his coffee and looked at the imperial guard in flying fish uniform in shock.
"When the crew members on the ship heard the news about Hao Jing, they were unwilling to escape with Carlos, so they kidnapped a few people." Jinyi Palace Guard said loudly.
It turned out that after the crew heard that Haojing Governor Bugalu had not been harmed, they originally did not want to escape with Carlos. After floating in the sea for a long time, under the leadership of a captain, Carlos and Alam, the brothers-in-law, were rescued. He was tied up with his brother-in-law and surrendered to the pursuing Yuehai Navy.
At this point, this troubling Hao Jing conflict has completely come to an end.
Jia Heng looked at Buga Road not far away and said: "Sir, in this war you launched against our country, Carlos is a very suspicious person and needs to be handed over to us."
Bugalu frowned, looking closely at Jia Heng's face, and asked, "What does the earl plan to do with him?"
"Sabotage the diplomatic relations between the two countries and start a war. According to our laws, you will be executed." Jia Heng said in a deep voice with a cold face.
(End of chapter)
