While Deng Fei and the others were waiting for soybeans to be shipped in Fuzhou Bay, Shengjing General Songchun also received a flight report from Fuzhou.
This clan member was sixty-five years old. He was so frightened that he first ordered people to send an emergency report to the Ministry of War in the capital and Fukang'an who was in charge of Jilin City. Then he fell ill and his old illness relapsed.
However, no matter how fast the horse ran, it could not be as fast as the boat. Deputy Commander Xiong Yue sent out an emergency report and it was delivered to Dagukou one day later.
I'll give it a shot! The captain of the Tianjin Navy Camp was frightened to death when he heard that a large ship from the North Sea entered the Bohai Bay and attacked the Jinzhou Water Camp.
Tianjin Naval Camp was re-established in the 50th year of Qianlong's reign. In the early days, the water camp had more than 2,000 troops stationed in it, equipped with dozens of large and small ships. However, because the Bohai Bay had always been peaceful and peaceful, wasting money and food, so in the 32nd year of Qianlong's reign, they were all abolished; the garrison soldiers were either transferred out or sent out to join the Green Camp.
After the Thunder God showed its prowess in the battle at the mouth of the Fuljiaha River, the Tianjin water camp was established again. Qianlong mobilized Guangdong, Fujian, and Liangzhou to garrison the Eight Banners, and also allocated fifty large and small warships from Fujian and Guangdong. This was the Qing court The largest maritime force on the northern coast.
Starting from the 51st year of Qianlong's reign, the Qing government also built two circular forts on the north and south sides of the Haihe River estuary. It is equipped with four 10,000-kilogram "Weiyuan Grand General" guns, capable of firing 23 kilogram shells (51 pounds). The fort is made of wood inside and green bricks outside, and is grouted with white ash. It is very strong. The height of the platform is one foot and five feet, the width is nine feet, and the depth is six feet.
In addition, there are 10 earth forts and 10 earth forts, equipped with hundreds of cannons of various sizes, forming a relatively complete military defense system.
The elite artillery battalions of the Qianlong era were different from the ordinary green battalion artillerymen. Many of them had experienced many wars and were able to skillfully use the "gun sighting quadrant" to aim and shoot.
The problem is that outsiders are watching the fun, but they know best how much they have. The North Navy's cannons have long been famous. They can blast them from a distance of more than ten miles (cei, four blasts), which scares everyone.
At present, six huge ships have just arrived on the ocean outside Tanggu. Although they are relieved, high-ranking officials and dignitaries have gathered outside Tianjin and are preparing to go out to sea to review the fleet that has come from afar. If something really happens, even if I have a hundred heads, I won't be able to chop him off!
So he immediately sent someone to invite Mr. Qiao of Tianjin Dao. Unexpectedly, Qiao Renjie went to Wanghai Temple to pay homage to Heshen and Fu Changan early in the morning. Mr. Dutong had to go to Wanghai Temple on the north bank of the Sancha River mouth to look for him.
This time, a large number of people from the Qing court came to Tianjin with great fanfare, and there was simply no way to arrange so many high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the city. So Tianjin Road renovated and cleaned up the Haiguang Temple, Wanghai Temple and Chongxi Temple outside the city.
Yong Yan, Yong Lang, and Min En went to Haiguang Temple in the south of the city. He Shen and his best friend Fu Chang'an and others lived in Wanghai Temple on the north bank of the Sancha River estuary, while most of the others lived in Chonghai Temple. Jubilee view.
Speaking of which, the reason why He Zhongtang lives here is that, first of all, Wanghai Temple is next to the Sancha River, which is convenient for going to the sea and returning to the capital; secondly, he can know immediately about any movements in the capital; and thirdly, it is convenient for making friends with admirals from other provinces. He Zongbing took the opportunity to make money.
The thirty-nine-year-old Heshen can be said to have monopolized power in the court, and he has the trust of Qianlong. Except for those few Qingliu and a few clans, almost everyone fawns over him. Even Yong Yan, who is the prince, is very afraid of him.
Without him, Heshen had many followers, and he was also in charge of the "Shangyu Reserve" for Qianlong.
What is different from the history of another time and space is that the normalization and standardization plan of the "criminal silver" that was originally only available in the 55th year of Qianlong's reign was completed by He Shen last year.
Have no idea! Dogs jump over walls when they are anxious, and pigs climb trees when they are anxious. Jilin and North Korea's armies gathered, Qianlong still wanted to enjoy it, but he didn't have enough money to spend.
In Wanghai Temple, Qiao Daotai, who came out after hearing the news, felt his heart thump when he saw Shuiying Dutong's frightened expression. After he finished reading the emergency document sent from Xiong Yue, he was sweating profusely.
"It's been a bad time, it's been a bad time!" Qiao Renjie lamented in his heart. If the big ship of the Northern Navy sails to Tanggu and sends troops ashore, all the civil and military officials in Tianjin will be screwed!
For a moment, Qiao Daotai thought of the Northern Navy attacking Tianjin, so he might as well surrender anyway...
Heshen and Fu Changan soon learned the news from Qiao Renjie and Shuiying Dutong, and they immediately became angry. I thought I would come sooner or later, but as soon as my group of people arrived in Tianjin, the fleet of the North Navy appeared in the Bohai Bay. They were obviously coming for us!
It seems that there must be a traitor from Beihai Town in the capital, and he can quickly learn the movements of the DPRK. This is too scary, and must be investigated strictly!
So after discussing with Fu Chang'an, Heshen decided to rush to the capital to report, and also put the water camp on full alert, and all the forts were ready. After making these arrangements, he rushed to Haiguang Temple with Fu Changan.
Since Yongyan was canonized as Prince Heshuojia, anyone with a discerning eye can understand that this is already a proper crown prince. Therefore, even if the city of Tianjin falls, Yong Yan cannot make any mistakes. If He Shen doesn't show his loyalty by fawning over him now, when will he wait?
When He Shen and Fu Chang'an arrived, Yong Yan, Yong Lang, and Min En were sitting in the house chatting. After listening to the reports of the two people, the three of them behaved differently.
Yong Lang's face was pale and he was slumped in the chair; Min En, who was skilled in riding and shooting and had been in charge of the forbidden brigade in the capital for a long time, wanted first to go back and protect Qianlong; Yong Yan had a gloomy face and a deep frown.
"Your Majesty, I want to speak from the bottom of my heart. Nothing is as important as the Emperor's safety at the moment. Besides, a gentleman does not venture into dangerous places or build dangerous walls. I dare to invite the three princes to return to Beijing. I will let you bear the responsibility for Tianjin."
Min En said: "He Zhongtang, after hearing what you said, do you plan to fight Zhao Ni to the death?"
He Shen said with a serious face: "No matter what, we must protect the safety of the emperor and the capital. Even if I die, I must keep Zhao Ni's men at sea."
Min En nodded after hearing this, leaned forward and said to Yong Yan, "Uncle Fifteen, what do you think?"
Yong Yan also felt that this was too coincidental. As soon as he and a large number of officials arrived in Tianjin, a large ship from Beihai Town appeared in the Bohai Bay. It was obviously for people like him. Who would believe that there was no conspiracy?
Just say that the imperial court has repeatedly failed outside the customs, but this is really too much!
Thinking of this, Yong Yan said to Min En: "Don't worry, He Zhongtang has sent someone back to Beijing to report, and there should be a decree coming tomorrow. Just listen to the emperor's arrangements for what to do."
After that, he said to Fu Chang'an: "Chengzhai, you are the Minister of War, what do you think?"
Although this person is He Shen's best friend, he is not a loser. He had already thought about it on the way here, so he replied: "Fifteenth Master, Tianjin and Lushun are different. Lushun Port is deep and has no forts. Beihai Large ships can drive straight in and make a surprise attack; but the coastal waters of Tianjin are covered with large muddy tidal flats. If Zhao Ni's men dare to land ashore, the forts on the north and south sides of Dagukou will surely cause them heavy casualties and defeat.
Besides, we now have heavy artillery and giant ships. There were six warships, with rafts and oars like clouds, and hundreds of huge cannons. My servant had heard Yaolin say that when the Dingbei opened fire alone, the scene was truly earth-shaking. "
When everyone heard this, they felt a little at ease. But now the Northern Navy is attacking at the doorstep, and no one can swallow the anger that the great Qing Dynasty has been bullied like this by a rebel bandit.
At this time, the area near Dagukou was crowded with people, and even many wealthy people in Tianjin came over in carriages to watch the Western scenery.
A few kilometers away in the southeast, six sail battleships were moored quietly on the sea. The huge hull and towering masts made the people on the shore burst into admiration.
On both sides of the ship, the dark muzzles of cannons poked out of the window, announcing to everyone that they were the most powerful maritime fortresses of this era.
The British East India Company spent a lot of money on these six sail battleships, and its purpose was to develop comprehensive trade relations with the Qing Dynasty. Each of the five second-class sailing ships cost more than 2,000 oak trees and more than 30 tons of iron during construction, and is equipped with the latest equipment of the British Navy: carrones and custom-loaded ammunition; just take out one of them. An existence that dominates the seas of East and South Asia.
In the eyes of the British, even the large iron ships in Beihai Town would become vulnerable if they only needed to dispatch two ships.
At this moment, in the gun decks of various warships, the Qing gunners who came with the ships from Fujian were training under the supervision of the British.
"Cannon reset!"
"Clean the barrel!"
"aim!"
"Charge!"
"Load!"
"aim!"
"Fire!"
...
Major Thomas Anderson from the British Admiralty held a pocket watch and monitored the time it took the gunners to complete each step. When the gunners were all sweating profusely and panting from exhaustion, he signaled to the interpreter to ask the gunners to stop.
"You idiots! It only takes two minutes to fire one shot, that's not good! It's too slow! Faster, faster! Three shots in two minutes will do!"
After Major Anderson finished shouting, he looked at the dark-looking and thin gunners in front of him, shook his head, and said to the Qing army leader beside him: "Master Feng, your soldiers are too thin. They should be allowed to eat more meat every day. Only in this way can you have enough physical strength.”
"Eat meat? Don't you eat fish every now and then?"
"No, I mean beef or pork."
"Bull? Absolutely not!" Feng Sheng'e waved his hands after hearing the interpreter's explanation. “Cows are used for plowing the land and cannot be eaten.”
Major Anderson said: "Okay, then there's always pork and mutton, right?"
Feng Sheng's forehead said okay, thousands of sailors eat meat every day, which is better than what I usually eat? Now I have a full meal of brown rice, salt and fish. Compared with other battalions, I am living a fairy life. Eat meat every day? Let’s not talk about whether there is such an expense, how embarrassing it would be!
He pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "I will report this to the Admiral. Mr. An, you must know that we cannot be the master of such a big matter. We must have the emperor's will."
Anderson frowned and said, "Okay. I hope that the noble Emperor of your country can sympathize with his soldiers." After speaking, he said to the translator: "Let them practice twenty more times. The movements must be accurate and fast!"
In the Qing Dynasty, the total length of the post road from Tianjin to Beijing was more than 240 miles. According to the expedited speed of 600 miles, the report was sent out in the morning and sent to the Forbidden City at dusk.
Qianlong was shocked when he heard the news, and immediately issued an edict and quickly summoned Yong Yan, He Shen and others back to Beijing. At the same time, he summoned the academicians in Beijing, the Minister of Military Aircraft, and relevant people from the Ministry of War to wait at the Yangxin Hall to urgently discuss countermeasures.
After everyone arrived, Qianlong first asked about the defense strength of the Dagukou fort. Just like what Fu Changan said, the summoned Minister of War carefully explained the situation of the fort and water camp, and then talked about the capture of Lushun Water Camp by Beihai ships, which immediately shocked the Manchu and Han ministers present.
Just as Heshen and Yongyan thought, all the ministers, including Qianlong, believed that there were spies from Beihai Town in the court, otherwise the time would not be so accurate. Everyone shuddered when they thought of a court official or someone in their house having such a person.
A Gui, a scholar present at the scene, immediately said: "I ask the emperor to move to the Old Summer Palace immediately, and to mobilize the Fengtai camp and the three banners of the inner palace to guard together to prevent any changes. Then let the infantry command the Yamen and Shuntian Mansion to strictly inspect the various cities. People entering and exiting the city must be careful to prevent Xiaoxiao from causing trouble."
Qianlong had no expression on his face and said slowly: "Ji Huang, what do you think?"
Ji Huang, a seventy-eight-year-old scholar, sat on the embroidered pier and said tremblingly: "It is necessary to deploy troops to protect the emperor and conduct strict inspections of the city. I have no objection. However, I think that the emperor is the most powerful person. If it is If the king suddenly leaves the imperial city, the people in the city may be in panic. Even if the king is moved, it should be done tomorrow."
Agui said: "Master Ji, the emperor is the lord of the world, and hundreds of millions of people are dependent on him. He just moved to the Old Summer Palace. It can't be said that the people are panicked, right?"
Qianlong raised his eyebrows slightly, looked at Dongge University Scholar Wang Jie and co-organizer Liu Yong and said, "What do you two think?"
Wang Jie said: "I thought it might be inappropriate to leave the city suddenly at this moment. If the news spreads outside the palace, there might be some minor criticism."
Liu Yong said: "I agree with Sir A's opinion. The emperor can travel in simple clothes, but it is safer to go to the Nanyuan Camp instead of the Old Summer Palace."
Agui said: "I second my opinion."
Dong Gao also kowtowed and said, "I second my opinion to Lord Ji's proposal."
You can hear needles dropping in the side hall of Yangxin Hall. Qianlong was sitting cross-legged on the Kang, his face so gloomy that water could drip from his face. He regretted letting He Shen go to Tianjin. Among the four bachelors present, two actually disagreed with him moving away for a while. At this moment, he was extremely angry.
Two days ago, the secret report sent to the sticky post stated that several unidentified scholars with southern accents appeared in Beihai Town. Thinking that Ji Huang was from Wuxi and Dong Gao was from Hangzhou, Qianlong looked at the two of them. There was a bit more disgust in his eyes.
The Han people cannot be trusted after all! From Kangxi to Yongzheng, and then to Qianlong himself, he had always been courting the literati in Jiangnan, and he was generous with his favor, but how did they treat him?
For the sake of clearing my name, I have resigned and retired again and again, regardless of my kindness and sincere advice over the years, and I have to drag myself down time and time again to persuade you to stay. But how did they treat me? !
That Cao Wenqian, because he was at odds with Heshen, requested to be brought back to his care several times on the grounds that he was caring for his old mother. I obeyed his request and made him the crown prince and Taibao, and also gave it to his mother in my own handwriting. But how did the Cao family treat me? There was actually a son who defected to the Beihai rebels, openly resisted the court, and criticized Liu Yong. It was really killing him!
(Cao Wenqi: "I am wronged! Liu Yong harmed me!")
Thinking of this, Qianlong's anger became more and more intense. He looked at the kneeling ministers at his feet expressionlessly and said: "Instruction, the nine admirals of the infantry commander's office will immediately send troops to guard all the gates in the city and strictly inspect all gates. People going in and out of the city must be careful to prevent Xiaoxiao from causing trouble."
"Come on, obey the order."
"Also, I want to tell Cao Wenqi that on my birthday next year, I will order him not to go to the capital, but to spend more time with his old mother at home, and to think about his mistakes behind closed doors." After Qianlong said this, he said to the eunuch beside him: "Go and tell his son what I said. Cao Zhenyong listened and ordered him to be careful in his words and deeds, so that he can understand my painstaking efforts."
The eunuch quickly kowtowed and said, "Come on. I obey the order."
Everyone present was stunned when they heard this, thinking that Cao Wenqian had retired and returned to his hometown. Besides, his son Cao Zhenyong was currently a bachelor's degree student at the Hanlin Academy. He was usually very cautious, so why did he bring him along with him?
However, whoever can be a bachelor is not a quick-thinking person. In a blink of an eye, everyone understood that Qianlong was trying to scare the tigers and kill the chickens to scare the monkeys. As a result, Ji Huang, a bachelor of Wenyuange, and Wang Jie, a bachelor of Dongge, were sweating profusely, and their heads banged heavily on the ground.
"Hey, I obey your order."
At this time, Qianlong had decided to wait for Heshen to come back and ask about the five gunboats. If there were no problems, he would order two of them and the Dingbei to go to sea to wipe out the enemy, give Zhao Xin some color and at the same time shock him. Those Han officials, don't think that the imperial court is weak and can be bullied!
When Qianlong asked everyone to retreat, he stopped Agui and Liu Yong. After that, he dismissed the eunuchs outside the palace and said to the two of them: "Agui, I order you to go to the Fengtai camp with the command arrows, and the firearms camp to go to the Old Summer Palace overnight to guard it. Liu Yong, you come with me and go to the Old Summer Palace lightly."
()
.
