It was already the sixth day that Degenie came to Baghdad. Apart from meeting the highest local official on the third day, His Excellency Deng Fei, who could speak fluent French, all he could do after that was wait and watch the guards. Accompanied by the tour guide, we visited inside and outside Bacheng.
De Guigne was actually not optimistic about this transaction, mainly because all the chips Governor Leclerc could offer were only 200,000 Spanish double-column silver coins. Leclerc told De Guigne in his letter that this was the entire fortune of the French East India Company.
Beihai Town, this new regime established by a group of eccentric Chinese, is mysterious and unpredictable in the eyes of all Westerners in East Asia, always shrouded in a veil. Even the British, French and even Tsarist Russia who had contact with each other actually saw the leopard through their own eyes.
When Zhao Xin made a big fuss about the Thirteenth Party and caused chaos in Guangzhou, it happened to be winter and businessmen from all over the world returned to Macau. When the businessmen returned to Guangzhou in May of the next year, they found that Baixiong Xing was already empty. Although the foreign merchants asked Thirteen Businessmen many times to find out what happened, everyone, including the servants, remained silent.
It was not until a year later that the foreign businessmen vaguely learned that the people from the White Bear Company had made a riot in Guangzhou City and had a fierce exchange of fire with the local garrison. The whole process was described as if it were a fantasy, and everyone who heard it was shocked.
The "Travel Notes of Seris" written by Count Laperouse after visiting Beihai Town only described Beihai Town's wealth and various incredible technologies, but he did not know much about Beihai Town's industrial strength and military strength.
It was not until Peter, Philippe Vanier, Pimanuel and others reported what Deng Fei and the others had done in Annan back to local governance that the French had a new understanding of the overall strength of Beihai Town. You must know that even Britain, the most industrialized country at this time, could not build iron ships or incredibly powerful rapid-fire cannons, let alone the powerful infantry weapons in Beihai Town.
Governor Leclerc spent all his money to make friends with Beihai Town. His purpose was not only to save the Bourbon dynasty from danger, but also to cooperate with Beihai Town to fight against the British East India Company.
Throughout the major wars in Europe in the 18th century, such as the War of Spanish Succession, the War of Austrian Succession, the Seven Years' War between England and France, and the American War of Independence, France without exception stood on the opposite side of Britain; what this brought about was The French were repeatedly attacked by the British in Southeast Asia, which seriously affected trade with China and caused heavy losses.
For example, in 1745, during the War of Austrian Succession, three ships going to China for trade, the "Garson", the "Crown Prince" and the "Hercules" were all captured by the British in the Bangga Strait. In the following four years, There are no ships going to China.
During the Seven Years' War, war between Britain and France also broke out in India. As a result, the French lost control of Hyderabad and even local governance. After the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1763, although the British returned Pondicherry and other places, according to the requirements of the agreement, the French could not set up defenses and cease all military activities; of course, this was impossible.
Later, during the American War of Independence, a second war broke out between the Kingdom of Mysore and the British supported by the French. The "Modest", "Friend" and "Duggs Crane" heading to Guangzhou for trade were captured again by the British. The Guangzhou Consulate was forced to rent out the idle French commercial building to the Imperial Trieste Company and Swedish or Danish businessmen.
When news of the French Revolution spread back to local governance, Governor Leclerc immediately realized that as tensions in Europe intensified, Britain and France were likely to use force again.
Supposedly, Pondicherry's fortifications were very powerful and were designed by Governor Leclerc himself. However, the problem was that it was adjacent to the sea and the number of garrison troops was too small. There were less than 2,000 soldiers in the city, including only more than 600 French soldiers. Once a siege occurs, it is impossible to effectively defend the city wall. Coupled with the British blockade from the sea, local governance would be isolated.
In the history of another time and space, the British did this. From launching the siege and bombardment to the surrender of the French, it only took one day.
Degene originally thought that even if the Seris people had large, fast iron ships, it would still take several months, including back-and-forth correspondence and discussions on such an important matter as whether to agree to send troops. Unexpectedly, when he was bored and observing the situation at the port with a telescope, Deng Fei sent someone to invite him, and then Degene followed the guards to the former Governor's Palace in Bacheng.
"Dear Governor, what can I do for you?" Degeigne made a French bow to Deng Fei, and the hat in his hand was dazzled by his dancing.
"Mr. Deguigne, you can go back and tell Governor Leclerc tomorrow that Beihai Town agrees to provide support to you, including but not limited to ships and military personnel. Our request is that the Governor should come in person. Of course we will Local governance is also possible, and you and I need to formally sign an agreement.”
"Your Majesty the Governor, this, this," Deguine showed an expression of disbelief on his face. He did not expect that his first mission as a diplomatic envoy would go so smoothly. "Please forgive me! Your news really surprises me!"
Upon seeing this, Deng Fei immediately asked the attendant to pour half a glass of rum and handed it to him. Degene finished the drink in a big gulp, and her excitement calmed down a bit. He then said excitedly: "Your Excellency, I will go back and report to the Governor tomorrow. Please rest assured, we will send someone here soon."
soon? Deng Feixin said that according to the current speed of the sailboat, it would be two months at the earliest.
For Beihai Town, going to Europe is a big event. The composition of the entourage, the deployment of ships, troops and supplies, etc. all require time to prepare. Moreover, the Thor must return to Beihai Town to conduct an inspection on the hull and internal equipment. Complete overhaul.
But even so, Deng Fei was still unsure. You must know that in these days, the only way to go from Asia to Europe is the East African route, and the most dangerous area along the way is the Cape of Good Hope; the special Category 11 winds in the westerly belt are extremely terrifying, and the swells as high as 10 to 20 meters make sea navigation difficult. Extremely high.
Not to mention the age of sails, even in the modern era of another time and space, it is not uncommon for 10,000-ton ships to crash in the Cape of Good Hope area. There were neither weather forecasts nor satellite cloud maps in these years. All Deng Fei could rely on were regional charts from another time and space. In his opinion, on the way to Europe, Zhao Xin must at least escort him on the African route.
In addition, if you go to Europe, you can't just take a Thor, you must at least send a sail gunboat to accompany it. As a result, Bacheng needs to add new gunboats. The reason why the Dutch have been so quiet and honest in the past few months is mainly because they are afraid of the artillery on the Thor and Beihai 1 outside the port.
In this way, a large-scale preparation of military personnel and materials began, which lasted for five months. According to Zhao Xin's arrangement, considering that the special operations battalion has adapted to sea navigation, it is planned to let them all go to Europe with the ship.
As a result, the local garrison strength is only one company of the Marine Battalion, which is definitely not going to work! Ever since, following Deng Fei's order, the Fujian immigrants who had just disembarked for a day did not know that their destiny would change accordingly.
"I say it again! Everyone! No matter how thirsty you are, you must not drink raw water! It must be boiled before you can drink it..."
In a large shed near the port that is ventilated on all sides, Jiang Asheng, a clerk at the Bach City Municipal Administrative Committee, is lecturing the new immigrants at the top of his lungs. When he saw everyone below showing disapproval, he continued with an emphasis: "I know you didn't take my words seriously! But what I want to say is, miasma is no joke! You can get it yourself. Miasma will infect all the brothers and family members around! Once it attacks, you will die within three days!"
"If we find out who dares to disobey this iron law, we will..."
"No food, no wages."
Cai Qian muttered when she heard this. After listening to the lectures all morning, he felt that everything else in Bacheng was fine, but there were too many rules; this was not allowed, and that was not allowed. You are not allowed to drink boiled water, you have to go to the toilet to urinate and defecate, you have to take a bath every day, and you don’t have to go to the woods if you have nothing to do, there are a lot of them.
At this time, Jiang Asheng on the stage had almost finished speaking. When he was about to announce the end, a man in a short-sleeved military uniform hurried in from outside, walked up to him and whispered a few words in his ear. Jiang Asheng's eyes immediately widened, he nodded repeatedly, then gave up his position and stood under the stage.
"Tell me something!" The man in military uniform also spoke Xiamen dialect. "According to the order from above, we are now recruiting a group of security guards. People must be honest and capable of bearing hardships. As for the salary, they will be responsible for food, housing, and housing, and will be given five silver dollars every month!"
ah? Everyone was stunned at first and looked at each other, but after a while... Buzz! Suddenly it was like ten thousand flies flew into the hay shed!
Jin Wuzi, who was sitting on the left side of Cai Qian, asked eagerly: "Brother Qian, what is a security guard? How can you earn so much?!"
Cai Qian grabbed the shiny bald gourd and thought to herself, I am illiterate, how can I understand. He simply stood up and asked loudly: "Master, what is a security guard?"
"Just like me," the person on the stage pointed at himself with his thumb and said with a smile: "Run for a run if you have nothing to do, and if something happens, help defend Bacheng. Let me tell you, not only take care of food and housing, They are also given two new sets of clothes every year, from hats to shoes, and they are not included in wages!"
oh! Cai Qian probably understood now that this was similar to a nursing home for rich people, but the treatment was also great!
But what’s the point of suffering? If they weren't all so poor, who would be willing to cross the ocean to come here just to endure hardship and make money!
No matter, there is no shop like this after passing this village! Thinking of this, Cai Qian ignored his wife who kept tugging on his trouser legs and said loudly: "I'll go!"
"I'll go too!" Jinwuzai also stood up immediately.
With these two people taking the lead, most of the men in the hayloft stood up.
Cai Qian thought well, but during the subsequent recruitment registration, the person in charge of registration looked at Cai Qian's ID card and frowned: "Cai Qian, you are thirty this year, we only need those under twenty-five. .”
"Why?! That official didn't say that before!"
Cai Qian became anxious immediately. He unbuttoned his shirt, patted his bronzed chest first, then pointed at the people in line behind him, and said anxiously: "What's wrong with thirty? I can fight with my bare hands." There are five of them! Give me a knife and I’ll kill them!"
At this time, Jin Wuzi also came over, bowed to the person who registered and said: "Master, Brother Qian is not lying. He fights very hard. No one among the fishermen in Shui'ao can beat him."
"What are you arguing about?" As soon as he finished speaking, a medium-sized man wearing a grass-green short-sleeved camouflage uniform came over. Behind him, there were several people in the same attire, all of them with sturdy figures; after they were surrounded by His sun-dark face was full of rebellious expressions.
"Hello, Chief!" When the officers and soldiers in the hut saw this person coming, they all stood up and saluted. Cai Qian and others were startled, and some people knelt down nervously.
After hearing the explanation from the soldier in charge of registration, Wang Yuanfang walked up to Cai Qian, looked him up and down and said, "Your name is Cai Qian? Are you thirty this year?"
Sensing the calm but powerful aura in the other party's words, Cai Qian simply knelt down on one knee, cupped his fists and said, "That's the villain!"
Wang Yuanfang held Cai Qian's identity card, his eyes shifted back and forth between the card and the other person, and he didn't speak for a long time. At this moment, everyone around him looked breathless, but none of them knew that Wang Yuanfang was muttering in his heart.
"The name is okay, and he seems to be about the same age. Isn't this guy the great pirate in history?"
You must know that Wang Yuanfang has been a soldier in Fujian for so many years, and he knows something about the famous "Pirate King" in history. When he went to Xiamen on vacation from the army, he specifically read the inscription "Building and Building a Mountain Walled City" at Xiamen University.
Good guy, I didn’t take it seriously when I went to sea and went to Batavia to work as a Chinese laborer!
The atmosphere in the hut became increasingly tense and depressing. Just when Cai Qian felt that he was out of luck, the man standing in front of him raised his hand to help him up, and then suddenly punched him in the chest.
Cai Qian's body could not withstand Wang Yuanfang's fist, even if the latter only used 30% of his strength, he could not withstand it. He just felt like he had been hit by a cow. He had no time to react. He stumbled back four or five steps and then fell to the ground.
Wang Yuanfang walked over and helped the confused Cai Lian up, and said apologetically: "I'm sorry, I just wanted to see if you can hit five with one."
Cai Qian's face turned red at this time, and she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl in. Although he knew that he was no match for the man in front of him, he was still dissatisfied. Just as he was about to argue, the other party patted him on the shoulder and said in Hokkien: "I'll keep you! Work hard from now on!"
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