Octopus Chamber of Commerce is an imperial merchant, and its main food customer is the imperial court. Providing grain and grass and responsible for transportation not only saves the court a lot of costs, but also provides more than a thousand jobs, allowing the refugees in the capital to earn some clean money to support their families. Not to starve to death.
Huangshang is a golden brand and is tax-free. It seems to be very beautiful, but the pressure is unimaginable to outsiders. The Ming army has to have rations at any time during the southern and northern wars. If you are late and miss the opportunity to fight or cause uneasiness in the army, you will be beheaded. It's a serious crime, and besides that, the amount paid in advance is not small!
In the early Qing Dynasty, the eight imperial merchants were responsible for purchasing military rations. The combined strength of the eight families had tens of millions of dollars as a guarantee. However, Octopus was only in the city for a few months. The capital behind it was the secret shares of Chang Yu and Wu Mengming, in addition to the thirteen Taibao in the capital. Just a million.
But Octopus accepted the order without hesitation. Chang Yu went north to Guanwai and south to Baoding, and then chased the enemy south. Octopus mobilized all his inventory and followed without making any mistakes, which was highly praised by Emperor Chongzhen.
Although Emperor Chongzhen did not know the specific relationship between Octopus and Chang Yu, he originally proposed and recommended it, so he knew that there would be some connection, so he was very concerned about it. For example, he recently received thousands of dollars in silver for copying those unscrupulous businessmen in Shanxi. When Wan Wan entered the treasury, he immediately ordered the Accounts Department to write off the accounts of Octopus and settle the accounts of Guan Ning and Baoding first.
This made Song Siyang, the big owner of Octopus, very excited. When he saw that he was struggling, the court took the initiative to settle the accounts. The speed of the repayment was staggering. This business was really comfortable. More importantly, there were no yamen at all levels to ask for cards. No one dared. !
Compared with the business of the Chamber of Commerce, the Escort Agency seems a bit lonely. After all, due to the Tatar siege a few days ago, the Escort Agency has just been established and its business has not yet been fully launched. Recently, it has mainly focused on recruiting and training personnel.
But it is not without some business. For example, because there were too many refugees in the city, the big families in the outer city were worried about chaos, so they hired people from the Escort Bureau to guard the gates and guard the courtyard. After all, compared to the Chamber of Commerce, the Escort Bureau has a more thorough background and people with a little information. Everyone knows that Dongchang is behind the Octopus Escort Bureau. If you ask someone from Dongchang to guard the door, you can rest assured.
In the yamen of the Ministry of War in Qianbulang in the south of the imperial city, Shi Kefa and Wang Jiayan were drinking tea and discussing in the hall. They had just come out of the palace and learned early that the Qing army had agreed to the terms of peace talks in exchange for a safe exit. They were both happy and regretful. People are still a little worried about the security issue in the capital.
The Manchu and Qing Dynasties had been camped in the Ming Dynasty for decades, and there were countless spies and black hands lurking there. The riots the day before yesterday were just the tip of the iceberg. At this time, it was heard that the Qing troops were withdrawing and heading north. Will these people take advantage of the opportunity to move again? What is important is the defensive strength of the capital. It is too weak and is more than enough to deal with the interior, but if the Tatar army passes through here when it withdraws northward, it will have second thoughts...
"The little eunuch has taken away almost all the troops in the capital area. It would be better if the Tatars just get out of here, but if they don't die..." Wang Jiayan frowned.
Shi Kefa paced in the hall and suddenly said: "Yes, aren't Tang Tong and Ma Ke still in Shunyi? They have nearly 20,000 troops and horses, and they can be transferred back to the capital."
Wang Jiayan's eyes lit up: "Wait, what are you waiting for? Come back quickly."
In the Shunyi County Government Office, Ma Ke was pacing back and forth in the lobby, rubbing his hands together: "It's finally time for our brothers to go on stage. I've been watching the show for more than half a month and can't get along with each other. To be honest, brothers, I'm embarrassed." .
It is said that more than half a month ago, the Tatars attacked the capital in vain and turned south. Chang Yu sent troops to pursue them, intending to set up a siege in Jingdong and beat the dogs. Tang Tong and Ma Ke waited in Shunyi to prepare for a head-on attack by the retreating Qing army. Great, who knew that Dorgon had seen through his plan and stormed the pass with a large number of troops and marched southward. Chang Yu's plan was ruined. As a result, the two brothers were left idle in Shunyi County.
Next to him, Tang Tong opened his arms and fanned himself in the wind: "Brother Ma, we brothers deserve this and we can't escape. But brother, I see why you are so nervous."
"To be honest, Brother Tang, this is not nervousness but excitement. To be honest, when we followed Governor Hong back then, I, Marco, was considered a figure."
"Moreover, everyone knows that Brother Ma has outstanding military exploits, and the reputation of Little Cao from Malaysia is not for nothing!" Tang Tong was very complimentary, but he was also telling the truth. Ma Ke was as famous as Cao Bianjiao for his bravery and skill in battle, because he was slightly older than Cao Bianjiao. This is why Da Ma Xiao Cao said so.
Marco chuckled, and then his eyes dimmed: "After the battle between Song and Jin, I, Marco, now... Hehe, I have become a laughing stock, not to mention a body to be punished, and the little governor saw it and gave it to me I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to earn some military exploits, but I have been waiting here for more than half a month. I thought I missed it. To be honest, brother, I look like the wind is light and the clouds are calm these days, but in fact my heart is burning. burn!"
Tang Tongshen agreed: "Brother, I feel the same way. There are not many soldiers and horses of the Tatars entering the pass this time. This time, it is the small governor and the governor who are chasing the victory. All the soldiers and horses want to take advantage of the opportunity. Brother, I have only been sitting here for half a year." The moon is also on pins and needles!"
Marco laughed: "Okay now, we brothers have to work together." He walked to Tang Tong and took his fan to help him fan: "You still have to rely on Brother Tang to take care of your brothers."
Hey, Tang Tong Erlang raised his legs and said, "Brother Ma, why are you so humble to me?"
Marco then said seriously: "Brothers are really not humble. The so-called working together can break gold. Now think about why we were defeated repeatedly during the Songjin War. Apart from other reasons, it was because we each had selfish motives, were suspicious of each other and did not cooperate. Fight to the death, fellow Taoists, but poor Taoists will not save you even if they die..."
Seeing Tang Tong nodding, Marco continued: "Tatars have always been fierce, and their teeth are even sharper when they jump over the wall in a hurry. We brothers must work together. If it continues like in the past... Hehe, I'm afraid this won't work. He said, "I even got my skin and flesh torn to pieces,".
"Not only do we have to work together this time, but we will also stick together in the future." Tang Tong took the fan from Ma Ke and fanned himself vigorously: "Brother Ma, have you noticed the recent wind direction?"
"Brother Tang, please give me some advice," Marco said quickly.
Tang Tong picked up the herbal tea on the table and took a sip of it, then said matter-of-factly: "The world is getting more and more chaotic now, but heroes emerge from troubled times, and I think the young governor is the young hero who can turn the tide. The fate of our country will be crucial in the future of the Ming Dynasty." It’s up to him.”
Marco nodded slightly: "To be honest, after the battle between Songjin and Songjin, I felt that our Ming Dynasty had only a few days left to struggle and survive. But who would have thought that the little governor is like a god coming to the world? You have only been watching for a few months. , first resisted hundreds of thousands of intruders in Taiyuan, and then beat the shit out of Dorgon in Ningyuan, then turned around and completely defeated the intruders in Baoding, and then looked back and chased Dorgon to Qingzhou, thousands of miles away. Gone. Brother Tang, when our Ming Dynasty was struggling to death, he could be so defiant. If you can calm down a little, you say..."
"The future is promising," Tang Tong said quickly: "Not only the future of the young governor, but also the future of our Ming Dynasty is limitless!"
"That's true, but what Brother Tang just said..."
Tang Tong raised his hand to interrupt him: "In troubled times, heroes emerge, and the little governor is a hero. In troubled times, endless battles are our opportunity to make contributions! But fighting alone will only become the vassal of others. Only by working together can we achieve great achievements and have great achievements." Only when others rely on us can our value be high."
Marco was a little confused, he didn't quite understand.
"Huang Degong, Huang Chuangzi, brother Ma should know this. Although this person is brave and good at fighting, in recent years, he has lost more than he has won against the Tatars or the rebels. The same is true for Zhou Yuji, but look at them now …”
Marco has an epiphany.
Huang Degong and Zhou Yuji have discovered that they have formed an alliance virtually since they fought side by side with Chang Yu. They are invincible wherever the blade points. As more and more small forces and small groups begin to rely on their subordinates, their status gradually becomes more and more important. , has become the mainstay of the Ming Dynasty, and Li Yan seems to be the iron triangle!
The future is amazing!
"So we brothers have to stick together, otherwise we can only rely on others. No matter how great our achievements are, we will only be able to make a fool of ourselves. It will be difficult to get ahead!" Tang Tong sighed with emotion.
Ma Ke was also shocked in his heart: "Yes, in the future, with the merit of three people, Zhu Guo will be sure to win, and may even be knighted! It's just that our group of brothers is a little weak, and the full calculation is less than 20,000 "Soldiers and Horses"
"Take your time." Tang Tong was not in a hurry: "Don't forget that we also have a powerful helper."
"You mean Wu Sangui?" Ma Ke's eyes lit up.
The three of them had fought side by side many times. They were colleagues during the Songjin War and were very familiar with each other. In addition, a few days ago, Tang Tong had rushed thousands of miles to help and the relationship between Wu Sangui and Wu Sangui was getting closer. If they were brought over, they would indeed be a powerful force. The strength is not inferior to the combination of Huang Degong and Zhou Yuji and Li Yan.
"But Wu Sangui has always had his eyes high. He has nearly 30,000 Guan Ning cavalry and is so powerful that he may not be willing to ally with us. To be honest, he doesn't like us." Ma Ke was slightly worried.
Tang Tong smiled and said confidently: "He is powerful, but no matter how much he can surpass the strength of Huang Degong and the other three, he will have to find someone to unite with him. Besides, I went north to help him a few days ago and he owes me." As a personal matter, aside from these things, he is in trouble now, and he would rather form an alliance with us at this time."
"Brother Tang is saying..." Ma Ke was surprised, but he didn't know what big deal Wu Sangui was getting into.
"He was guarding the border, but he let Dorgon sneak in under his nose, leaving the capital with no time to prepare. If the young governor hadn't led his troops north to King Qin at the critical moment, the capital would still be in a state of disarray. Although the capital is fine at the moment , but at that time, Li Zicheng escaped from death because of this. The emperor is very angry. Do you think you can spare him lightly when he comes back to settle the score?"
Wonderful, Ma Ke clapped his hands with great joy: "The three of us can hold up the sky together."
"Don't be anxious and happy for now. Right now, we brothers only have a few soldiers and horses. Let's think more about how to stumble." Tang Tong chuckled. At half noon today, a military order from the little eunuch came through the horse. Order two. Prepare people for war and attach detailed plans for their implementation.
"The Tatars will arrive in as fast as ten days or as slowly as half a month. Let's prepare early." Marco waved his fist, his fighting spirit rising.
"Report, a letter from the Ministry of War!" This was a private soldier rushing into the lobby. Tang and Ma were startled.
