The people in Guangzhou city don't know that the current center of the Wang family's regime in Guangdong and Guangxi, that is, the regime of Wang Fuchen, Wang Zhongxiao, Wang Jizhen, and Sun Jiqing, is no longer in Zhaoqing, but has been moved to Fucheng, Guangzhou. Foshan is the largest town in the world.
Just next door to Guangzhou Fucheng!
The center of the political power is the headquarters of the Guangdong and Guangxi Governor's Office, the Jingwu School, the Reform School, the Reform Society, the Tiandihui, the Guangdong Customs Road Yamen, the Guangdong Customs Bank, and the Macau Gun Factory, which are important components of the Wang regime. The suggestion to move the church to Foshan was made by Wang Zhongxiao.
And there is only one reason why he wants to make Foshan the center of Wang's regime, and that is efficiency!
Wang Zhongxiao, who has long adapted to the slow pace of agricultural society, discovered a high efficiency that is different from other places in Foshan, a city with hundreds of thousands of handicraft workers. This is a high efficiency that only exists in factory handicraft societies!
Although this kind of high efficiency is completely incomparable with the high efficiency of industrialization and information society in later generations. But compared to the slow pace of traditional farming society, it is simply much better.
Agricultural production has periods of busy farming and slack periods, and it is quite idle most of the year. In the handicraft industry, there is no idle time, only busyness. How busy it is to rub flintlocks by hand!
Rub your hands together! It's all manual work. The barrel is hammered out with a red-hot iron plate. When it's almost hammered, you have to use a manual boring machine to drill holes. It takes half a month to make a barrel!
Of course, casting cannons is more laborious than rubbing flintlock guns. Just one casting involves many processes. After casting, the bronze cannon also needs to be bored using a large artificial boring machine. It is best to polish the inner chamber by hand. It must be processed until it is smooth enough to be top quality.
To complete a large number of hand-rubbed flintlocks and hand-rubbed bronze cannons, it would be impossible without a large team. Moreover, the industrial chain of the metallurgical industry is also relatively long, including mining, fuel collection (including firewood, coal, and even indigenous coking), blast furnace construction, equipment manufacturing, and of course transportation, and downstream there are also all over East Asia. sales network, and there are many supporting and coordinated industries in the surrounding area.
So many industries can be well integrated, and the efficiency cannot be lowered.
Moreover, Foshan is not only a big industry in metallurgy. Most of the handicrafts in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and Southeast Asia are produced in Foshan, Zhangzhou, Chaozhou and other places, among which Foshan has the largest production scale.
In today's Qing Dynasty, apart from Foshan, Suzhou is probably the only city with such high efficiency.
However, the "industrial atmosphere" in Suzhou is still much worse than that in Foshan. Suzhou is the center of the textile industry, but now there are no steam engines, so large textile factories cannot be opened. Therefore, the textile industry in Suzhou is still organized and produced in units of family workshops-machine households.
In contrast, the Foshan Iron Industry is much more organized. Most ironworks have dozens of masters and apprentices, and sometimes there are hundreds of people, who are busy every day. This is especially true in troubled times. How could a lovable and muscular man, or a muscular man who knew how to rub a cannon and a flintlock, not be liked by the great warlord Principal Wang?
In addition, the textile industry without steam engines does not need to build a lot of chimneys to emit billowing smoke into the sky!
And Foshan is the center of the metallurgical industry! There are at least hundreds of chimneys in the city emitting smoke and dust into the air day and night. On days when the air pressure is relatively low, the whole city has a foggy and industrial atmosphere!
Although industrialization has not yet come, the atmosphere and efficiency are already there. Even if it can't compare with the industrialization and informatization of later generations, if the old Wang family's Guangdong and Guangxi regime can keep up with and make good use of Foshan's efficiency, it will already be on the same level as Kang Mazi and Wu Sangui!
That’s why Wang Zhongxiao wanted to put the center of power in Foshan!
Standing on the tower of a tall square building on the outskirts of Foshan Town, looking at the smoky and busy city not far away, it feels like I have returned to more than three hundred years in the future!
After looking at the scenery for a while, he suddenly raised a brand-new flintlock gun in his hand, aimed at an unknown bird flying in the sky, and then decisively pulled the trigger. He only heard a "pop" sound, and the hundred-step bird The flying bird suddenly fell to the ground.
"good!"
Immediately, a loud voice shouted "Hello" as if to meet the occasion. Wang Zhongxiao looked back and found that the person cheering was his father Wang Fuchen, with Kong Sizhen beside him.
Kong Sizhen also looked like he was smiling from ear to ear: "Shikai, your marksmanship is good. You can shoot down a flying bird from such a distance. If you go to the battlefield, it's not like taking down an admiral from a hundred steps away." Old fate?"
"Thank you, Aunt Kong." Wang Zhongxiao smiled and handed the flintlock gun to Dai Zi beside him, "It's not that I'm good at marksmanship, but that this flintlock gun is a divine weapon. This gun is called a rifle. The flintlock gun has straight grooves in the barrel, and it also uses specially made lead bullets with wooden bottom cones. The accuracy of shooting is greatly improved, and it is not difficult at all to kill the enemy in a hundred steps."
Wang Fuchen looked surprised: "Is there such a magical weapon? Brother, how many rifled flintlock guns are there now?"
Wang Zhongxiao said: "There are only a few." He suddenly thought of something, "Dad, is there anyone in Guangzhou?"
Kong Sizhen nodded and said with a smile: "Yes. Fu Honglie has just arrived and brought news about the change of flag in Guangzhou! Shang Zhixin rebelled again, this time against the Qing Dynasty, voted for Wu Sangui, and captured your mentor Mingzhu. Now Wang Shirong He is already the only imperial minister in Guangdong who can mediate the conflict between our monk family! Fu Honglie brought his handwritten letter this time. According to the meaning in the letter, Guangzhou Prefecture will be ours from now on, and the Shang family only needs Shaozhou, Huizhou, Nan Liu Jinzhong and Shang Shuying govern Chaozhou in the two prefectures of Xiongzhou and Lianzhou. Shikai, are you satisfied with this plan?"
Wang Zhongxiao smiled and said: "Satisfied! I am satisfied now. When Guangfu digests it, it will be too late to be dissatisfied again."
"Since you are satisfied," Kong Sizhen said with a smile, "then your father has to go to Dongguan, Guangzhou! Shikai, how many rifled flintlock guns do you have available now?"
Wang Zhongxiao looked back at Dai Zi, who replied: "Twenty-five have been made now and another twenty-five can be completed before the end of the month, enough to equip a platoon."
"Where is the flintlock pistol?" Wang Zhongxiao asked again.
"That's a lot," Dai Zi said. "There are more than two thousand guns in the warehouse! Although more than half of them are old guns purchased from Foshan folk, they can all be used."
Wang Fuchen nodded: "Send twenty-five rifled guns and all pistols to my cavalry battalion!"
Wang Zhongxiao nodded.
"Yes." Dai Zi replied immediately.
Wang Fuchen said to Wang Zhongxiao again: "Second brother, your country soldiers will be dispatched immediately to build a fortress in the north of Guangzhou City to block the Shang family's escape northward!"
"Yes!" Wang Zhongxiao patted his chest, "Dad, don't worry, no one named Shang can escape."
Wang Fuchen smiled and nodded, and then said to Kong Sizhen: "Sister Zhen, first bring your soldiers and follow Fu Honglie into the city. Bring five hundred flintlock pistols."
"Okay!" Kong Sizhen nodded lightly.
Wang Fuchen said with a smile: "Okay, Hongmen Banquet. It must taste good!"
Outside Dongguan, Guangzhou, Shang Zhixin's tall figure was riding on a horse, but the long side pockets of his red hood were blown by the strong wind blowing from the Pearl River.
Hundreds of elite members of the Pingnan Prince's Mansion, wearing blue cloth armor and red scarves on their heads, were just waiting quietly.
This scene is similar to when Mingzhu, the imperial envoy of the Qing Dynasty, came to Guangzhou a few days ago, except that the clothes of the big guys are a little different, and the expressions on everyone's faces are no longer as relaxed as that day with a little expectation, but more natural. After Shang Zhixin came down, everyone was uneasy.
The generals of Pingnan Palace, as well as the generals of Guangdong Governor Biao and Guangdong Admiral Governor Biao, who had just been recruited by Shang Zhixin, were also all in blue robes and red hats. They stood behind Shang Zhixin on horseback, and everyone frowned. , worried.
Today, the person they followed Shang Zhixin to greet was Wang Fuchen, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi in the Qing Dynasty, and they were the ministers of Wu Sangui, the president of the Western King of the Ming Dynasty!
This is really speechless!
Most of them were leaning towards the Qing Dynasty. They originally thought Wang Fuchen was a traitor, but they didn't expect that Wang Fuchen was still the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi in the Qing Dynasty, and they had already rebelled against the Qing Dynasty and surrendered to Wu.
This is really true. The traitor turns out to be myself!
What makes these people even more uncomfortable is that even if they become traitors, they still cannot get the support of the people of Guangdong!
Just after the change of flag in Guangzhou, the original way of survival in the north of Guangzhou was blocked by Guangdong soldiers and people.
There were tens of thousands of villagers and soldiers digging trenches and building fortresses together!
There was no need for official supervision, everyone was very motivated, and they worked all night long, and the work was completed in two days and two nights.
The efficiency of this work is really unparalleled.
Now these people in Guangzhou understand it. Cantonese people don't care at all now that the emperor's surname is Zhu, Wu, or "Kang". They want Shang Kexi to die and the Shang family regime to perish.
The Shang family was loyal to the Qing Dynasty before, so they rebelled against the Qing Dynasty and restored the Ming Dynasty. Now that the Shang family has voted for Wu Sangui, they will temporarily support the Qing Dynasty and eliminate the thieves. In short, they will not give them a way to survive!
While the Guangdong Township Army was besieging the city, Kong Sizhen followed Fu Honglie into Guangzhou City with more than a hundred soldiers. She came as Wang Fuchen's negotiator.
It seems that Wang Fuchen is still very careful and not easy to murder!
After Kong Sizhen arrived in Guangzhou Fucheng, he proposed several peace negotiation conditions on behalf of Wang Fuchen.
First, of course, is to divide the territory.
Wang Fuchen not only wants Guangzhou Prefecture, but also Huizhou Prefecture!
According to Kong Sizhen, Wang Fuchen wanted to leave Huizhou to his legitimate son Wang Jiyong.
From now on, the main territories in Guangdong and Guangxi will be inherited by Wang Fuchen's four legitimate sons. The eldest son Wang Jizhen inherits Zhaoqing, Gaozhou, Leizhou, Qiongzhou, Luodingzhou and Wuzhou in Guangxi; the second legitimate son Wang Zhongxiao inherits Guangzhou Prefecture; the third legitimate son Kong Jiqing (grandson) Ji Qing, Wang Jiqing) inherited Guilin, Pingle, Liuzhou, Xunzhou and Yulin Prefecture; the fourth legitimate son Wang Jiyong inherited Huizhou.
Secondly, three of the four legitimate sons must be crowned kings, and Wang Fuchen must also be crowned king! Among them, Wang Fuchen wanted to be named the King of the South, Wang Jizhen was named the Crown Prince of the South, Wang Zhongxiao was named the King of Nanhai, Kong Jiqing was named the King of Guilin, and Wang Jiyong was named the King of Huizhou.
Third, the Wang family regime in Guangdong and Guangxi currently does not vote for Wu Sangui and Wang Fuchen's intention is to protect Guangdong and the people, and does not want to participate in the world war. Therefore, for the time being, we will not vote for Wu or rebel against the Qing Dynasty, but will only discuss peace.
Fourth, hand over the pearl. The relationship between Wang Fuchen and Mingzhu's wife is very good, and they cannot be left a widow!
These four conditions are really a bit high.
Especially the third one, what does it mean to be ignorant, traitorous or disloyal? Even if Shang Zhixin can agree, Wang Shirong cannot agree!
It is easy to decide how many kings to seal, how to seal the territory of Guangdong and Guangxi, even if it is to hand over the pearl.
But the Wang family should at least surrender to Wu Sangui!
Otherwise, how could this matter be done? If they don't surrender, how can Wu Sangui grant them the title of king? Is it possible that Wang Fuchen wanted Kangxi to wholesale the four princes for himself?
However, Wang Shirong did not refuse outright, but invited Wang Fuchen to come for a face-to-face interview.
But Wang Fuchen did not dare to enter the city, fearing that Shang Zhixin, an unfilial son, would plot against him. Wang Shirong was willing to go out of the city to talk to Wang Fuchen, but Shang Zhixin refused, fearing that Wang Shirong would be kidnapped by Wang Fuchen.
So Kong Sizhen and Liu Jinzhong acted as intermediaries, and their soldiers set up a negotiation venue in Dongguan Wengcheng, Guangzhou. Among them, Kong Sizhen produced 150 people, and Liu Jinzhong also produced 150 people. Neither side can bring long weapons or bows and arrows, and can only bring short soldiers into the venue. Moreover, the inner gate of the urn city must be closed, and the places connected to other parts of the city wall must be blocked with fences and horses.
Of course, Shang Zhixin agreed to all such conditions.
After all, Guangzhou Fucheng is his territory, and he has more than 10,000 armed forces. Even if the Dongguan Wengcheng is handed over to Wang Fuchen, he can still get the Wengcheng back quickly.
Moreover, as long as Wang Fuchen entered Wengcheng, he would most likely not be able to escape.
Because a sheep-horse wall and a gate wall have been built outside the Wengcheng in Dongguan, Guangzhou, Wang Fuchen could not rush out from the main entrance of the Wengcheng and could only go out through two side doors. And the side entrance can easily be blocked by soldiers deployed in the sheep and horse wall - there is a secret passage connecting the sheep and horse wall to the city! There is no need for people to go through the city gate when entering or exiting.
All in all, in Shang Zhixin's opinion, as long as Wang Fuchen came, he would not run away.
And once Wang Fuchen and Kong Sizhen are gone, the Wang family's regime will inevitably fall apart!
Because the Wang family regime was originally a joint regime between father, son and brother Xiao San. The three brothers Wang Zhongxiao, Wang Jizhen, and Kong Jiqing (Sun Jiqing) all had their own groups. It was entirely up to Wang Fuchen and Kong Sizhen to hold these three groups together. Together.
Once Wang Fuchen and Kong Sizhen are gone, these three groups will definitely break up.
By then, the Shang family will be able to defeat them all!
Thinking of this, Shang Zhixin felt a little relieved. At this moment, Li Chenggong (Liu Jinzhong's general) who was sent out to greet him rushed back with a dozen fast horses and shouted towards Shang Zhixin from a distance: "Wang Zhijun is here , Wang Zhijun has arrived!"
The generals on the Shang family's side, who were somewhat anxious after waiting, started to tidy up their clothes and robes with a loud buzz. However, all the Qing slaves who felt that they were not used to being good were gone! Some of them are still bannermen!
At this time, there were more sounds of horse hooves in the distance, and by the end they were connected together. The sound of horse hooves was so amazing that it made the earth tremble a little.
Shang Zhixin, who was waiting there solemnly, suddenly changed his expression, and a hint of ominousness came to his mind. Wang Fuchen is the living Lu Bu who is the bravest of the three armies! He looked back at the waiting queue and found that the faces of his men also had worried looks. Some of them had already held down the sabers on their waists. Shang Zhixin almost wanted to retreat into the city and hold on. But I still held it back
Wang Shirong, who was next to him, was confident and said with a smile: "Master, don't panic, you are now a minister of the King of the West. Why won't Wang Fuchen go to war with the King of the West? There is no need. The King of the West treats his Wang family well. The two granddaughters were given to Wang Zhongxiao! Although Wang Zhongxiao participated in forcing the death of the legitimate son of the Prince of the West, he took a great risk to save the second son of the Prince of the West. The second son was extremely loyal to Wang Zhongxiao. I am grateful, and he is also the biological brother of Wang Zhongxiao’s concubine, Princess Xiaoji, and he is now the great saintly grandson of the King of the West.”
Shang Zhixin had heard Wang Shirong say this a long time ago. Now that he heard it again, he finally felt relieved and said with a smile: "I know, I know, I know, that's why I want to make peace with the Wang family!"
Wang Shirong nodded: "That's right. Let's restore the Han family together. Let's talk about other things later!"
Shang Zhixin also nodded: "Okay, just listen to the imperial envoy!"
(End of chapter)
