Guangdong
After several days of inspection and selection, the Customs and Taxation Branch officially set up an office, selected 5,000 people from the Guangdong Navy, and equipped a law enforcement boat to patrol and police pirates at sea, and board and inspect ships at the same time.
On this day, in front of the Customs and Taxation Branch Office, there was a sea of people and bustling people.
Local officials in Guangdong, big and small, including Zhou Zao, the governor of Guangdong, Miao Rui, the chief envoy of Guangdong, all the commanding envoy Fang Jun, and the inspector Lu Xian were all waiting at the gate of the Yamen.
In addition, there are four counselors from the feudal lord and several inspectors from the lord.
But Zhou Zao, the governor of Guangdong, had a face as gloomy as ice. His eyes fell on Liu Xiaoyuan's face, and he felt cold in his heart.
It is simply ridiculous to think that by finding important officials in the court as a backing, you can become independent from the Guangdong officialdom.
Once Uncle Yong Ning leaves, if there is no cooperation from other yamen, he will want to see how the newly opened yamen operates.
Jia Heng was talking to General Wu Tao of the Guangdong Navy at the moment and said: "General Wu, the Guangdong Navy must first update its ships. The original ships with paddles and sails are no longer suitable for long sea voyages, and they should all be replaced with sailboats."
He has decided to leave tomorrow.
Wu Tao said: "Don't worry, Uncle Yongning, the Guangdong Navy will renovate the ship this time."
Jia Heng said: "When the affairs in Jiangnan are over, I will go to the Holy One and return to the Guangdong Sea to patrol the entire Guangdong Sea Navy. At that time, I hope that General Wu will not disappoint me and the court."
Wu Tao nodded repeatedly.
Jia Heng entered the Yamen office now. It was not only the day when the Customs and Taxation Branch officially handled official business, but also the day when Guangdong sea trade ships paid the first batch of tariffs. The clerks in the Yamen came in and out, and began to record and plan the war.
In the Customs and Taxation Department, according to the relevant procedures such as book registration, approval, and sealing, in order to prevent the Yamen officials from getting involved, the entire process is a one-stop service.
As soon as Jia Heng entered the official hall, Miao Ruipi, the chief envoy of the Guangdong vassal, greeted him with a smile and said: "Uncle Yong Ning, after the opening of the sea, trade is booming."
Jia Heng said: "Mr. Miao, when businessmen and travelers come together, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and everyone has their own time. This is also a blessing for Guangdong."
Miao Rui smiled and nodded in agreement, but his eyes were a bit gloomy.
What kind of blessing is this to Guangdong if the surplus money from customs duties is not retained in the Guangdong vassal?
Jia Heng did not care about the thoughts of the Chief Envoy of Guangdong, but came to Liu Xiaoyuan. This former third-rank political official has now been added to the title of Zuoqiandu Censor and became a third-rank official. Although he was not promoted to the governor as he wished. Rank, but it can be regarded as independent from the Guangdong vassal system.
There is no such thing as being comprehensive and well-rounded in this world.
Liu Xiaoyuan said: "Uncle Yongning, the first freight ship entry tax stamp has been issued."
In the declaration process of the Guangdong Taxation Branch, goods are actively declared, and then tax collectors are sent to conduct inspections at checkpoints.
In order to prevent tax collectors from getting in their way, regular inspections were carried out.
Jia Heng nodded and said: "The customs must be honest when selecting and employing personnel, and must strictly prevent tax collectors and merchants from colluding with each other to falsely report amounts and lose national tax revenue."
As for creating a good business environment and building a new type of government-business relationship, there is no such term at this time.
While he was talking, the clerk outside suddenly said loudly: "Sir Bugaloo has arrived."
Everyone in the official hall looked around after hearing this.
In addition, Sir Bugaloo also brought his wife Hailey and his young daughter Nona to Guangzhou Fucheng.
Bugalu was accompanied by several translators. After congratulating Liu Xiaoyuan, Chief Secretary of Guangdong and participating in politics, Bugalu came over quickly and said in Chinese: "Uncle Yongning."
Jia Heng also came forward to exchange greetings. With the arrival of Hong Yi, the officials of Guangdong Mansion gradually became noisy.
Until noon, as the sea trade ships collected tax stamps and handed over the goods tax to the newly established customs and taxation branch, a group of officials gathered for a banquet in a restaurant and dispersed one after another.
Posthouse
Jia Heng returned to the back hall, washed his face, took a towel and wiped his face, looked at Chen Xiao who came in from the outside, and asked: "Is the outside tidying up?"
Chen Xiao said softly: "Xue Jun and his son have prepared a ship loaded with cargo, and some muskets and ammunition have also been loaded into the mule carriage."
Jia Heng nodded and said: "It's faster to travel by sea, but it's easy to be discovered, so it's not as safe as the land transport."
Chen Xiao understood the implication of Jia Heng's words, and with a solemn look on his beautiful face, he whispered: "The news came from Shandong, traces of the North Korean navy were found on the sea, Duduo As expected, the North Korean navy was mobilized to make a comeback in the south of the Yangtze River."
Jia Heng picked up the tea cup and took a sip. His face was as calm as water, and he asked, "Do you have any official documents from Shandong Admiral Lu Qi?"
The Jurchens would not give up this strategy of disrupting the south of the Yangtze River and finding fighters for the north easily.
Chen Xiao sat down and whispered: "This is news gathered from other channels. The North Korean navy may have gone south, and there are quite a few people coming this time."
That is the information channel of the White Lotus Sect. Jia Heng was silent for a moment, his expression paused, and he whispered: "We have to go back as soon as possible."
The North Korean navy has already converged towards Duduo. It is conceivable that it will harass the coasts of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. When the pirate forces are integrated, they may invade Jinling from the river mouth again.
Chen Xiao said softly: "It will take at least more than half a month from here to the Jiangnan camp, but we can still make it. How about we ride back on a fast horse first to prevent changes in Jinling."
"After the North Korean navy arrives, Duduo will still need some time to integrate. There is still time." Jia Heng nodded and asked, "What are the movements of the Jurchens in the north?"
Chen Xiao shook his head and said, "It's been a peaceful period in the north."
Jia Heng said: "I'm afraid it's the calm before the storm. Let the Jinyi Mansion detectives sent to the Jurchen territory investigate the movements of the Jurchen high-level officials."
He always felt that Nu Zhen was holding back her ultimate move, perhaps waiting for the chaos provoked by Duduo in Jiangnan.
While the two were talking in the study, they suddenly heard Bao Qin's voice outside, "Is Brother Heng in the room?"
Jia Heng came out of the study, looked at the girl in a pink dress, who looked like a porcelain doll, and asked, "Sister Baoqin, what do you want from me?"
Xue Baoqin came closer, with hope in his moist eyes, and said softly: "Brother Heng, Nona wants to go to Jinling. I would like to ask Brother Heng what he wants. Can he take her to Jinling?"
Jia Heng was surprised at first, then smiled and asked: "Isn't she at Sir Bugalu's place? How did you meet her? Are you going to Jinling together?"
Buga just passed by and saw the little girl. Maybe he and Baoqin met again at this time, and the two got together.
Xue Baoqin's charming voice was a bit sweet, and she said softly: "I went to the inn to look for my father, and I met Nona. She said she wanted to go to Jinling for a stroll. Sir Bujialu also agreed, saying that she wanted to go to Jinling, the former capital of the Han Dynasty. See you, gain some knowledge, I was about to tell Brother Heng."
Jia Heng thought for a moment and said, "In that case, you might as well take her with you to Jinling. There are quite a few Portuguese people along the way."
This time, hundreds of Portuguese craftsmen and their families were taken away from Haojing. After they went to the capital to teach the craftsmen of the weapons supervisor, these people would eventually return to Haojing.
Baoqin said with surprise: "Brother Heng, did you agree?"
"Yes, but she needs to be protected by the guards of Jinyi Mansion, so as to avoid any mistakes that may affect the diplomatic relations between the two countries." Jia Heng nodded and agreed with a smile.
Bao Qin said briskly: "Then I'll go back and talk to her."
The girl said, turned around and walked away happily like a butterfly.
After Baoqin left, Chen Xiao walked not far away and said softly: "You brought a lot of Hongyi back this time. I'm afraid there will be criticism in the court."
Jia Heng returned to the study again, sat down, and said thoughtfully: "After the Hongyi cannon and flintlock guns first show their power in the war against the captives, some rumors will disappear completely."
Chen Xiao nodded and said, "One more thing. It's almost early October, and the sweet potatoes originally planted in Henan will be harvested."
Jia Heng whispered: "I will send a letter to Fei Ge at the Qianhu Office of Jinyi Mansion in Luoyang and Kaifeng later to inquire about the situation."
After such a long time, the sweet potato harvest season has indeed arrived. If there are sweet potatoes as a food supplement, then the famine problem in the Han Dynasty in recent years will be greatly alleviated. Once the internal worries are gone, what is left will be foreign troubles.
Jia Heng thought like this, turned to look at the tall and beautiful girl, and whispered: "Xiaoxiao, I will take you somewhere in the afternoon."
Chen Xiaoxiu frowned, her bright eyes flashed, and she said in surprise: "Where?"
"You'll know later." Jia Heng chuckled and said calmly.
"Mysterious." Chen Xiao whispered and followed the young man out of the study.
Then, Jia Heng led Chen Xiao to a lake outside Guangdong Fucheng, where he saw a few Jinyi guards waiting for a long time.
"This..." Chen Xiao's eyes were immediately attracted to the boats in the lake. On the rippling blue lake, a unique iron boat was floating on the river.
"This is an iron boat that I had people make in the past few days. It took a lot of effort, and I also asked a Portuguese craftsman to help me." Jia Heng explained.
At this time, the level of iron smelting technology still had many limitations, and it could only reach this point.
Seeing that Chen Xiao was still stunned, Jia Heng smiled and said, "The two of us can get on board. The boat can carry two people."
After saying that, Zhuang Qi naturally took Chen Xiao's hand and boarded the iron boat. The iron boat suddenly sank a lot, but in the end it still supported the weight of the two people.
Of course, it's also because neither of them is that heavy.
"This, this is obviously iron...how does it float?" Chen Xiao looked at the iron ship at his feet, squatted down and gently stroked the cold-touch iron sheet, feeling a little unbelievable for a moment.
"Sit down and I'll row across to the other side." Jia Heng didn't rush to explain. Instead, he picked up the pole and rowed toward the lake. He said with a smile: "Ten years of cultivation can lead to the same boat crossing, and a hundred years of cultivation can lead to sleeping together."
Chen Xiao's cheeks were slightly red, his face was as white as ice crystals, and he said angrily: "What nonsense are you talking about?"
What kind of sleep together that has been cultivated for hundreds of years?
It was in the afternoon, and the golden sunshine of late autumn softly hit the girl's face. A strand of hair hung down in front of her forehead, blowing in the wind. Under her beautiful eyebrows, there was a narrow and clear house that belonged exclusively to the old Chen family. Her eyes were shining and clear, and her unrouged lips were moist, but she was still a little shocked.
Jia Heng turned to look at the girl and said softly: "Actually, just think about it for yourself. The middle of the wooden boat is hollowed out and floating on the sea. It contains both weapons and food. Why doesn't it sink into the water? If the iron is made hollow What? As long as enough water is drained, it can float on the water."
This kind of iron boat is actually not very practical. In later generations, it was used in rural areas to... electric fish.
But this concept can enlighten the world's shipbuilding industry, because this is the most basic principle of the 10,000-ton ship.
Chen Xiao looked at Jia Heng steadily and said, "Where did you know this?"
Previously, she thought it was a bit whimsical to build ships with iron, but generally speaking, it was true.
Jia Heng said softly: "Reading books in your spare time and thinking about things is actually the way to learn from things."
It is really impossible to invent complex machinery such as steam engines, but things like levers are nothing more than changing the perspective of application scenarios, and are just changes in the concept of existing technology.
Chen Xiao looked at the iron ship at his feet and said softly: "If I could build the kind of iron ship you mentioned, and go to Liaodong, I would be invincible across the ocean."
"There are still a lot of problems that cannot be solved, such as rust. Although it can be painted, it will become rusty if it is exposed to sea conditions for a long time. There is also power. The sail is not easy to drive, but now we can nail iron sheets to the side of the ship and use it. To resist the attacks of bows, arrows and cannons, I have seen some warships of the Guangdong Navy already doing this." Jia Heng said softly.
Shipbuilding is not a simple matter, and the key power issue is not easy to solve. Without a steam turbine, should it be driven by sails or paddles?
Chen Xiao nodded, his eyes sparkling, and said: "If the ships that fought Hongyi earlier had iron shields, they wouldn't be so easy to sink."
Jia Heng chuckled lightly and said, "Okay, come here and row for a while, and I'll show you something good later."
With that said, he handed the pennie in his hand to Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiaozheng was thinking to himself, when suddenly a bamboo pole came over and he pushed the iron boat towards the other side, but he couldn't help but think of something in his heart, she and he might also be in the same boat.
In the evening, Jia Heng asked Jinyi Mansion to load the iron boat that was finally made into the capital, and then rode back to the post house with Chen Xiao.
The two returned to the study. Chen Xiao looked at the young man before he came to the cabinet, seeming to be looking for something.
Well, you won't get her hairpins and jewelry, right?
When Chen Xiao thought like this, a strange look flashed through his eyes under his beautiful eyebrows, and a sense of humor suddenly arose in his heart.
She is not the little girl who is coaxed around by sweet words.
However, while staring, he saw Jia Heng taking a long tube-shaped object from a bookcase.
This is a crystal made by Hongyi that I discovered some time ago and polished to look like a telescope.
In fact, there were already reading glasses at this time. For example, Jia Mu had a pair. She did not wear them at ordinary times, but would pick them up and put them on when needed.
In fact, in the mid-to-late seventeenth century, the telescope had been invented by Dutch eyeglass merchants for decades, but it had not yet been widely used in the military field. Instead, it was used in astronomical observation and navigation.
"What is this?" Chen Xiao focused his eyes on it and said in surprise.
Jia Heng smiled and said: "Telescope, look outside. Don't look at the sun, just look at the scenery of the mountains. A hundred miles away, it is as clear as before."
With that said, he handed the monocular telescope in his hand to Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao said "hmm", took the monocular telescope, and looked towards the mountains and rivers along the direction of the study window. He saw the distant pavilions and mountains before his eyes, and the delicate hand holding the telescope trembled.
"Why is it so clear?" Chen Xiao put down the telescope in his hand and looked at the boy opposite him in surprise.
Jia Heng said softly: "This thing can be called clairvoyance. It is best used to observe the enemy's situation and observe the enemy's troop movements."
Chen Xiao thought for a while and agreed: "This object has many effects on military affairs. It can be called a military weapon. If you stand on the top of the city wall on the grassland, you can see the Jurchens mobilizing their troops."
Cousin, why does he have so many fantastic ideas? It's really hard to relate to the young man who was messing around with the two concubines and was full of tricks.
Jia Heng said: "But don't look at the sun with it. Even if you look at the sun normally, it will be dazzling. If you look at the sun with this, you will go blind."
Chen Xiao nodded, a warm current slowly surged through his heart, he smiled slightly and said, "I'm not a child."
Nagging, I have warned you twice.
Jia Heng stared at the girl with crystal clear face, was shaken by a faint smile, and whispered: "Actually, she is no different from a child."
After Chen Xiao went to college in later generations, as a freshman and sophomore, in his eyes, he was indeed no different from a child, and his cold appearance also hid an interesting heart.
"You..." Chen Xiao was about to speak, but saw the young man pinching his cheek again, hiding his embarrassment in his brows, and reached out to knock off Jia Heng's hand.
But he knew why he was touching his face, just like when he pinched Princess Shui Xin, the daughter of Princess Beijing in Jinling, and treated her like a child.
Jia Heng looked at Chen Xiao's face, with a melon-seed face as white as jade, and under the willow-leaf eyebrows like distant mountains, his bright eyes were bright, and the bridge of his nose was as straight as ever in the old Chen family, and he said softly: "Xiaoxiao, during this time, both sides Traveling around, weathered, and somewhat reduced.”
I had other thoughts from the beginning, but now I just let it be.
Chen Xiao met the warm gaze of the young man opposite him, looked away uncomfortably, and said in a clear voice: "If nothing happens, I'll go back first, and I'll take your telescope with me as well."
Jia Heng nodded, chuckled and said: "This is for you, go back and rest first, we can return tomorrow."
Chen Xiaoyu looked faint, pursed her pink lips, said no more, took the telescope in her hand, turned and left.
Jia Heng also slowly sat down behind the desk, took out a map and began to read it. He began to compare the map with the sea defense layout around the coastal provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
The North Korean navy has arrived. Although I don’t know how many troops it will send this time, but including the pirates that Duduo colluded with, there are probably ten or twenty thousand people?
In comparison, the newly built Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps did not have much advantage.
Chen Xiao returned to his residence, sat on the bed, held a telescope, looked at the scenery outside, and took out a dagger from his boots. The patterns on it were complicated and exquisite.
She doesn't like jewelry...probably.
With this thought, a slight blush appeared on the girl's face as beautiful as snow, she hid the dagger, lay on the bed, closed her eyes and fell asleep.
…
…
Jinling
It was mid-October, the sky was clear and the wind was gentle.
The eldest princess of Jinyang and the princess of Xianning, accompanied by the nuns, maids and female officials, rode in a carriage and headed for the imperial palace in Jinling City amidst the ceremonial guard held by the palace guards. They stood on the bluestone road across the street from the palace. Coming down, we saw the mansion with the inscription "Elder Princess's Mansion" on the lintel.
This was the property purchased by the eldest princess of Jinyang in Yangzhou. After a few years, the imperial daughter of the clan once again stepped into this vast garden.
All the way through the rockery corridor with hanging vines and lush smoke, a group of young and beautiful orioles in bright clothes went to the backyard, leaving behind laughter and laughter.
Several unmarried girls hiding in the boudoir looked curiously at the elegant and majestic princess mansion.
Baochai raised his moist apricot eyes and looked at the surrounding buildings with bright and clear eyes.
She said she had seen this eldest princess's mansion when she passed by Xuanwu Street when she was in Jinling. At that time, she also lamented that the imperial daughter of the clan would not come back to live here for several years, but she kept such a mansion. She didn't want to see it today. to be able to set foot here.
It's just that...it belongs to someone else after all.
Everyone passed through the Moon Gate and entered the garden with lakes, mountains, pavilions and pavilions. Yuanchun turned to look at his cousin, with a smile in his beautiful eyes, and said softly: "Wait a while, I will send my sister, third sister and sister Yun off." Head to Ningguo Mansion."
Baochai withdrew her lustrous gaze, looked at Yuan Chun, pursed her glossy pink lips, and whispered: "Sister, it's quite nice here. There are more people and it's more lively."
Along the way, Baochai followed several noble ladies from the clan. Most of Baochai's eyes were on Princess Xianning.
Xiangyun smiled and answered, "Yes, it's quite lively along the way."
After saying that, he looked at Princess Xianning aside and asked curiously: "Sister Xianning, have you been to Jinling before?"
"I came once when I was a child, but I don't remember much at that time." Princess Xianning was dressed in a green dress. She had a smile on her face as beautiful as snow, and her voice was as clear and sweet as flying springs and flowing jade.
Yuan Chun looked at Xiangyun, with a smile on his plump face, and said softly: "Sister Yun, your sister Lin is in Ningguo Mansion. Let's go there in the evening."
"Okay, I haven't seen Sister Lin for a long time." Xiangyun nodded, and suddenly said quietly: "It's a pity that Brother Heng went to Haojing and I didn't see him this time."
As soon as these words were said, the smiles on the faces of everyone present faded a little, and the eldest princess Jinyang also sighed secretly.
Yuan Chun sighed softly and said in a low voice: "I heard from people in Jinyi Mansion that your brother Heng has been in Haojing for a month. I think he is busy at the moment."
How come it's such a coincidence? When they come over here, Brother Heng will go to Haojing.
Tanchun chuckled and said: "It was mentioned in the Di newspaper that there was a battle with the Portuguese in Haojing. Brother Heng petitioned for opening up the sea for trade and setting up a customs. I think it's time to come back now that the business is over. .”
Baochai chuckled and said, "The third sister should have said the same thing."
Under Li Chanyue's beautiful eyebrows, her bright eyes were as bright as flying stars and looked at Baochai. This sister Baochai was born with really fair and greasy skin. She was not much better than the queen's aunt, and she was plump and pleasant, which was quite similar to that of Yang. Like a royal concubine.
Princess Xianning glanced at Baochai, and she didn't know if it was her imagination. She always felt that Miss Xue often peeked at her, and her eyes had some indescribable meaning.
It's like...like I've been wronged in some way? In short, she couldn't say anything.
As they talked, they came to the flower hall and took their seats. They were surrounded by pearls, hairpins, and skirts. For a moment, the whole hall was filled with pearls, hairpins, skirts, and coats, so colorful that it was indescribably gorgeous.
Princess Jinyang had just sat down, reached out to pick up the tea cup, and took a sip.
Suddenly, a nun came from outside and said softly: "Your Highness, Princess Chu and Princess Beijing sent someone to deliver news and want to come and visit Your Highness."
If based on seniority, Princess Chu would follow King Chu and call Jinyang aunt.
The eldest princess of Jinyang frowned, with a look of displeasure on her face, and said in a warm voice: "I'm just a little tired. It's getting late now, so let them come over tomorrow."
It wasn't that this beauty had discovered any clues, but that she wasn't very interested in the Zhen sisters.
(End of chapter)
