In the dead of night, Zexu, Ting Zhen, Yi Liang, Guan Tianpei and others were discussing matters at the Navy Admiral's Yamen.
Zexu asked: "Is Humen Fortress strong?"
Tingzhen and Yiliang didn't know what to do, so they thought about it silently. As the admiral of the navy, Tianpei had to answer, "It's very solid, sir."
"Since it is so solid, why are there only two ships that can start from Lingding Ocean, cross the Chuanbi Ocean, and then cross the Lion Ocean to reach the city of Guangzhou? There is also Wuyong Fort in the south of Guangzhou City, and the city of Guangzhou There are also our east and west forts nearby." Zexu asked again, "Admiral Guan, how should you deal with the multiple ships of the Yilu?"
Tianpei was once a subordinate of Zexu, and he knew that Mr. Lin was very thoughtful and did not know the truth, so he was destined to be unable to cope with it. Then he took a deep breath and said: "Mr. Lin, there are three oceans in the south of Guangzhou. From north to south, they are the Lion Ocean, the Chuanbi Ocean, and the Lingding Ocean. The Lingding Ocean is deep and wide. If you want to reject the barbarian ships, it is best to compete here; But our naval vessels are inferior in artillery and are no match for the barbarians. The only thing we rely on is the Humen Fortress. This fortress has three barriers from south to north. The first one is between Chuanbi Yang and Shishi Yang. At the junction, the river here is narrow and the stone walls on both sides are steep. There is Dajiao Fort on the left and Shajiao Fort on the right. The cannons fire from east to west and cross fire to destroy any barbarian boats. Six or seven miles north of Dajiao and Shajiao, there is Xiajiao Fort. Three small islands, namely Hengdang, Fanpailuo and Shanghengdang, lie across the middle of the river. There are Hengdang and Yongan Second Fortress on Shanghengdang Island. There are many shallow waters and reefs to the west of the three islands, so it is not suitable for boating, but as a precaution, there are also Jiaomen was built and the second fort was consolidated. The main channel is to the east of the three islands. There is Weishan on the east bank. There is Nanshan fort on the hillside of Weishan. Not far below, at the foot of Weishan and among the rocks on the foreshore, there is Weiyuan fort. On both sides, there are the Jingyuan and Zhenyuan second forts; the third fort is in the shape of the word "pin", and forms a second barrier with the fort on the upper rung. This is the top priority of the fortress. It is five miles north of the upper rung. At this place, facing the Big and Small Tiger Mountain forts, it serves as the third barrier..."
Before Tianpei finished speaking, Zexu became impatient and stopped angrily, saying: "Guan Zipu! Have you ever fought a sea battle with the barbarians? How many barbarian ships are there? Why not surround them and annihilate them?"
Tianpei was confused by the question and could only respond with "this, this, this".
Ting Jian hurriedly said: "Mr. Lin, the Yi ships are indeed slightly superior. I think our naval warships can't catch up with the tooth pump ships. The Yi ships are so skillful that some of them don't even need manpower. All they see is black smoke. , it’s already so fast.”
Zexu said, "Strange skills and ingenuity! Don't let the barbarians have the prestige."
Yiliang said: "Don't worry, Mr. Lin. Yilu and the other barbarians have been retreating steadily, and they must be in ruins."
Zexu said: "If someone cheats you of tens of millions of silver, will you give up? Be careful to sail the ten-thousand-year ship. It's getting late. The two governors have an early rest. Guan Zipu and I will study it more carefully. Guan Zipu, please quickly get the detailed map of the fortress." , bring it to me to watch.”
After Guan and Yi left, Zexu said: "Zipu, there is no one else around, so I must tell the truth."
Tianpei said: "Sir, officials are cheating and perverting the law, soldiers are seeking personal gain, and their teeth are constantly clogged with chips. So what does it matter if you say it again?"
"What's the matter? I came to Guangdong only for this piece of tooth! Moreover, this poisonous thing is almost destroyed."
"Why don't you chop down Han Zhaoqing? With just a little effort, my lord, Wuyang City is already under the bright moon. Besides, my lord, you are destined to leave. After you go, will this poison come back? Based on my careful observation in the past two months, my lord, Can the Governor and Governor deal with the aftermath?"
"Guan Zipu, don't talk nonsense! Lord Deng has done his best for this piece of tooth. If you don't come here to eliminate corruption, Han Zhaoqing has lost his fortune. As the admiral of the navy, you must do your duty! Stop talking about barbarians. The men and ships are strong and the artillery is strong. Looking at this vast water, how many cannon boats are there in the barbarians? Our southern Guangdong navy has hundreds of warships. If we don’t ask for one to be ten, five to beat one, ten to beat one, twenty to beat one, and a hundred to beat one, how can we do it? Still can't beat it? Guan Zipu, tomorrow, in the Lingding Ocean, at the Macao Waterfront, I want to see the vitality of my Great Qing Navy."
"Sir, wouldn't it be easier to cause such border provocations?"
"Zipu, I have an overview of the foreign affairs. On the outside, I seem to be unruly, but on the inside, I am just law-abiding. I have always been afraid of provocations, and as a result, I have become more and more troubled by the day. Little did I know that he traveled from 60,000 miles away to do business, and the host and guest The situation and the power of being outnumbered do not wait for a wise man to decide. Even if its ships are strong and its guns are powerful, it can only win overseas, but cannot use its skills in the inner harbor. Guangdong Province has many gateways and natural dangers, and its trade has been for many years. In fact, it is three times the profit. Even if he excludes the dental piece and specializes in serious business, he will never abandon this dock. Therefore, although there are twists and turns, the overall situation is still respectful, and it must be out of bounds. Zipu, This is what I have been thinking privately, and I will only tell you."
"grown ups.…."
"Zipu, that's it for now, don't say anything more!"
Tianpei Mengchou said that although the Nanyue Navy was a navy, it was always stationed on land. Although there were more than 10,000 people, there were less than 2,000 people who could go to the battlefield with real swords and guns. Although there are many warships, they are all single-masted and equipped with only three or four cannons ranging from 100 to more than 1,000 kilograms. The quality of the cannons is extremely poor, the muzzles are not straight, the cannonballs are not round, and the cannon bores are filled with trachoma and are easily exploded; the cannons shoot out like arrows. , just a penetration. On the other hand, the barbarian ships are mostly made of copper and have three masts. They carry as many as fifty or sixty cannons and as few as twenty or thirty. The cannons are round and have no holes in their chambers. The ship's cannons weighing three to four thousand kilograms are already eight thousand more than mine. The range of the cannon is very high; it is also equipped with a gun carriage and a sighting device, so the bullets are almost always fired; every time a shot is fired, there is no need to cool down; when a shot is fired, flowers will splash in all directions. What's more, there's that monster that is breathing black smoke... Mr. Lin, why don't you listen to me?
The officials are too many and the troops are indiscriminate, and the ships are blunt and the cannons are weak. How can Xu not know it? But the three feet of ice is no longer cold in a day, and the teeth are no longer allowed. The source of the problem must be eliminated, and the pledge must continue. What Guan Zipu said makes sense, our weapons are indeed inferior to those of the barbarians. Tomorrow we will immediately raise troops, build artillery, and build ships. But among these soldiers, cannons, and ships, which one does not need silver? Where did this silver come from? Zexu meditated deeply and stayed up all night.
The next day, Zexu summoned Tingzhen, Yiliang, and Yukun to discuss the bank matter. The two governors and governors said that the feudal treasury and the salt storehouse were all exhausted, while the other said that there was no grain left in the grain storehouse. As they spoke, the two adults glanced at the customs supervisor.
Yu Kun said: "Why are you spying on me? I am also a poor man. I have some in the treasury, but in three days I will go north to the Ministry of Internal Affairs."
Zexu smiled and said: "Hou'an, please give me your help. This will also help me to consolidate the Qing Dynasty Jinou forever. Our emperor is a wise man, and I will definitely receive the emperor's grace."
"Master Lin, please give me the imperial edict. Hou'an is willing to give it all."
"A memorial is flying north and south. Even if the memorial is accurate, it will be a month later; this situation and scene, within a few days, may have been turned upside down. Hou'an, dance once with long sleeves, be tolerant with one or two ears; protect the home and country, the Holy Lord Even if he is angry, he is also happy and angry. If we take a step back and really take responsibility, Shao Mu is willing to take care of it all by himself, without any involvement in Hou'an."
Tingzhen sighed and said, "Master Lin, how much silver do you need urgently?"
Then Xu listened to Ting Zhen's words and said hurriedly: "Brother Xianyun, 700,000 taels can solve the urgent need."
Ting Zhi said proudly: "Don't be impatient, Mr. Lin. I will upload the thirteen lines immediately and you can get them at your fingertips."
Zexu said: "Is it feasible to ask for additional information?"
Ting Zhen said: "The gate of Thirteen Lines opens to the south, and all the gold and silver can come in. Seven hundred thousand, for businessmen, is nothing. If you have time, please go to the Wu Family Garden to see it. It is comparable to my royal garden."
Zexu said: "This is a beggar for money. Please don't pass it on to others. Sir, how about we go to the Wu Family Garden together?"
When Wu Shaorong saw the four major people from Guangdong coming together, he was frightened and quickly knelt down to worship.
Zexu said: "There is no need to be polite when we get together in private."
Ting frame sighed: "Wu Ziyuan, how many dazzling and colorful things in the world have you gathered in this majestic and magnificent place with carved railings and jade?"
Shao Rong didn't know what kind of medicine was sold in these four giant gourds. The tall monk was confused and said quickly: "It is only because of my emperor's great kindness that the Wu family has this place to live."
Yiliang said loudly: "This shelter is really spacious. Wu Shaorong, do you know whether there are intact eggs under the overturned nest?"
Shao Rong didn't know what he had violated again. He was panicked for a moment and quickly knelt down and begged to atone for his previous sins.
Then Xu Chao and the two governors waved their hands lightly, took a step forward, helped Shao Rong up, and said: "I have something to ask for here. The Yi people have paid thousands of poisons out of thin air, and they will not let it go. If they use all their strength to attack, there will be a fight. A fierce battle. My Qing vassal treasury is empty, please..."
Shao Rong, such a smart man, immediately said: "Master Lin, please don't ask for help. I am very grateful. I am willing to help you to protect my home and country! I have five hundred thousand taels of silver in my house. Please take it." Go! If it’s not enough, I’d like to raise more money.”
Then Xu Shenyue said: "Wu Shaorong, I will remember you."
After the four adults left, Shao Rong sat on the soft sofa and let out a long sigh.
The first accountant took a bill and said very gently: "Sir, business has been very good recently. This is the business since the market opened."
"read."
"On May 20, the 800,000 taels of silver tea and 1.2 million taels of porcelain shipped to New York have been sold, with a profit of 500,000 taels. The 500 tons of fine tea shipped to Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands have not yet been sold. Sold out, so far, 40% profit has been made. Recently, the American stock market has fallen slightly, and our stocks have rarely suffered losses. The interest on the East India Company's debt was received yesterday, amounting to 470,000 taels of silver... …”
Shao Rong waved his hand, "Go down." His head was hurting. What was the use of earning so much money? With just one thought from the imperial envoy, all of this was reduced to nothing. The barbarians are not a thing. The Yilu and the Diandi were clamoring five years ago to get rid of the thirteen industries that monopolized all trade. The rat in the bellows is angry from both ends. Comparing the two cars, that half million is just a drop in the bucket. With his thoughts at this point, Shao Rong was secretly happy about the patterned silver that came out of his hand just now. Money must be spent wisely. The four major people in Guangdong have already taken my money, not to mention that I have no stolen goods.
Zexu looked at the white flowers and piles of silver, his joy was beyond words, and he sighed to himself: The people's support is still there. People's Daily: The law of escaping from Macau is still to insist on one's own way. No matter how many words and methods are used, there will be no commitment.
Zexu secretly thought: The king of hell is easy to meet, but the devil is difficult to deal with; why not tell his master about the current situation and clarify the interests and losses, maybe there is a glimmer of hope. So he wrote:
Hong Weiwei, the great emperor of China and foreign countries, treats everyone equally, benefits are shared by the world, and harms are sent to the world, and he takes the heart of the world as his heart. From generation to generation, your king has been praised as being respectful, and the tributes he paid each time were expressed in the following words: "Everyone from our country who comes to China for trade will receive fair and favorable treatment from the great emperor." I am glad that your king understands the great righteousness and is grateful for heaven's grace. Therefore, he treats me with kindness and kindness. The benefits of trade last for two hundred years. All the people in this country who are famous for their wealth depend on this.
However, trade has been going on for a long time, and the good and bad barbarians are mixed, so they are entrained to seduce the Chinese people, causing the poison to spread to various provinces. To act like this while knowing how to benefit oneself and not caring about harming others is not allowed by nature and is outraged by human nature. The emperor was furious when he heard this. This minister is specially sent to Guangdong to investigate and deal with the case together with the governor-general and the governor-general. All people from the mainland who sell food to others should be put to death. If the barbarians are held accountable for the crime of trafficking for many years, they will cause serious harm and gain a lot of profits, and should be punished by law. However, in order for all the barbarians to repent and beg for their sins, they sent the 22,283 boxes of the pump ship to the consul Yilu and requested them to be confiscated, and the whole bank was destroyed. The ministers and others who have folded the scriptures have documented the facts. Fortunately, the Emperor was particularly kind and allowed him to surrender, as he was willing to do so, so he was exempted from the crime. Those who violate the law again will be punished repeatedly and a new chapter will be established. I understand that your king is devoted to Hua, and he will definitely be able to command the barbarians to obey the law cautiously; but he must know the benefits and harms, and know that the law must be obeyed without hesitation.
The country is 60,000 to 70,000 miles away from the hinterland, and barbarian ships compete for trade, which is why the profits are huge. Using China's profits to benefit foreign barbarians, all the huge profits gained by the barbarians were divided from the Chinese people. Is there any reason to use poison to harm the Chinese people? That is to say, the barbarians may not have the intention to do harm, but they are extremely greedy for profit and do not care about harming others. How can we ask where the conscience of heaven is? I heard that fasting in this country is very strict, so I know it is harmful. If it does not cause harm to that country, then other countries cannot harm it. What about China?
Nothing that China does in foreign countries is beneficial to others: it is beneficial to food, useful, and resale, all of which are beneficial. Has anything in China ever harmed foreign countries? Just like tea and rhubarb, foreign countries cannot live without it for a day. If China can benefit from it but not care about its harm, how can the barbarians make a living? Moreover, foreign woolen cloth and serge cannot be woven without Chinese silk. If China can also benefit from it, how can the Yi people benefit? The rest of the food ranges from sugar to ginger and cinnamon, and the supplies range from silk and satin to porcelain. There are countless things that are necessary in foreign countries. And foreign things are just for fun and are dispensable. Since they are not needed by China, why should they be closed off from the market? However, all tea, silk and other goods are allowed to be trafficked and circulated without any pity. It is for the benefit of the world. The country brought goods from the mainland, not only for its own consumption, but also for selling them to various countries, making triple profits. That is to say, if you don't sell it, you will get three times the profit. How can you bear to ask for something that is harmful to others? If people from other countries are brought to England to lure people to buy food, it will be deeply disgusted and detested by the king.
Xiang Wen, your king, has a kind heart and is unwilling to do to others what he does not want. I also heard that the ships coming to Guangdong were all issued treaties, and there was a saying that prohibited items were not allowed to be carried. Your king's policies are strict. Because of the large number of merchant ships, there may not have been more inspections before. I am writing this note now, knowing that the prohibition is strict, I will definitely make it so that I will not dare to violate it again. I also heard that Langton, Siglan and other places adjacent to your king are not productive at all. However, in the Indian area under its jurisdiction, the mountains were planted and ponds were created. Years of tired menstruation will thicken the poison. The stench reaches the top, and the gods are angry. Your Majesty the King can sincerely uproot all the roots, hoe the land, and replant crops with grains. Anyone who dares to plant tooth-shaped slices again will be severely punished. This is a benevolent government that truly promotes benefits and eliminates harm. God bless it. Blessed by God, longevity and descendants will surely come from this.
When barbarian merchants came to the interior, eating and drinking outside was nothing more than anointing, and accumulating abundance was nothing more than pleasure and benefit. Its days in this country are still few, but its days in eastern Guangdong have become more. Bi Jiao Ming Xing, ancient and modern universal meaning. For example, if people from other countries come to the UK to trade, they still have to abide by British laws. What’s more? This is the case for the Chinese people: those who sell will die, and those who eat will also die. Just think about it, if the foreigners didn't bring it, why would the Chinese resell it or smoke it? These treacherous barbarians actually trapped the Chinese people to death. How could they survive alone? If someone harms someone's life, he still needs to pay for it with his own life. What's more, if he harms someone, it's not just a life. Therefore, under the new law, barbarians brought to the mainland will be punished by being beheaded and hanged. This is what is called doing harm to the world.
During the review in February this year, according to the country's consular regulations, the ban was strictly enforced and the request for leniency was requested. For Indian territories, the deadline is May, and for the UK, the deadline is October. Then follow the new example and other words. Today, my ministers and others report to the Mongolian Emperor that he is extraordinarily kind and considerate. Anyone who mistakenly carries the crime within one year and six months but can turn himself in and pay the full amount will be exempted from punishment. If after this period, there is still a crime, then it is a knowing and intentional offense, that is, the righteous law is being followed, and there will be no forgiveness. It can be said that benevolence is the ultimate righteousness.
I rule over all nations, possessing unforeseen divine power. However, I can't bear to punish him without teaching him. Therefore, the rules are clearly declared. If the barbarian merchants in this country want to trade for a long time, they must obey the constitution and regulations, and their sources will be cut off forever. They must not test the law by themselves. It is a great blessing for the king to denounce traitors and eradicate evil spirits, so as to ensure that you have a kingdom, a pillow of obedience and obedience, and that you can share the blessing of peace. Please read this article to eliminate the cause of tooth chip and move it quickly without delay.
Tingzhen and Yifang have read it, and both praised it for its brilliant writing, strong reasoning, and a good balance of attack and defense. It is a good article that is rare to see in a century. Xu felt warm in his heart and immediately sent it to the capital, waiting for the emperor to make a decision before sending it to the King of England.
One day, Zexu was discussing with Tingzhen and Tianpei the recruitment of troops, ships and artillery. An urgent imperial edict arrived, saying that Tao Peng, the governor of Liangjiang, was seriously ill. Lin Zexu, the imperial envoy, must deal with the unfinished matters as soon as possible and quickly went to serve as governor of Liangjiang.
Tao Peng was critically ill, and Zexu was anxious. Tianpei and Tao Peng were familiar with each other and sighed. Tingzhen's ancestral home was in Jiangning, and he had a close relationship with Tao Peng, which he regretted. The three of them were sad and silent, sighing endlessly.
Ting Jian said: "The plan for now is to quickly tie up the knot, so that Brother Shao Mu can leave with peace of mind."
Tianpei said: "Jiang Liang, a fellow acquaintance of Macao, said: 'That guy Yilu is having a very pleasant time with the Governor of Macao, playing music, singing and dancing.'"
Zexu was angry: "What kind of governor of Macau! He Jiang Liang only talks but does not do anything. Macau is the territory of our Qing Dynasty. How can we allow the barbarians to live freely! Tomorrow, I will go to Macau to observe. If the barbarians attack again, they will all be driven into the sea!"
