Chapter 548 Bon Appetit

Haihan's maritime armed forces became famous overnight after the battle with Liu Xiang's pirate gang at the Pearl River Estuary at the end of the first year of Chongzhen in 1628. In the following year or two, news came back from overseas one after another, saying that

Haihan sent troops across the sea to help the Annan court put down the civil strife, and even the group of Westerners living in Haojing'ao were surrendered by the Haihan militia. Its maritime combat power was far superior to that of the Guangdong Navy.

However, despite Haihan's strong strength, the coastal people do not have any sense of crisis, because the Haihan people have always had a relatively positive image in front of the public. Although the local government feels that the Haihan people are acting inappropriately, they still follow suit.

Yazhou should be managed by the Yazhou government to coordinate with the Haihan people. Therefore, the officials in Guangdong are happy to pretend to be deaf and dumb. After all, the Haihan people have money and people, and they also have the mysterious ability to predict curses. Even their predecessors

The governors of Guangdong and Guangxi all fell into trouble inexplicably. Not everyone was willing to offend this big trouble.

The Haihan people have always had armed warships stationed at the Pearl River Estuary. Not only the common people know about this, but the government also knows about it, but no one intends to make any fuss about it. Of course, ordinary people can't make any fuss about it. Although the Haihan people are very rich

, but they are not easy to exploit. If you want to get benefits from them, you have to be either a hired worker or a partner. It will not work by using your brain. Moreover, these warships have indeed brought peace to the Pearl River Estuary.

And Anding, since the Haihan people settled here, even the sporadic water bandits and pirates have been wiped out.

Although Haihan's warships often perform escort missions, they have never served the government. This is also known to everyone. The reason is also very simple. Haihan's armed escort is a paid service, but no official ship will be willing to pay this amount.

Qian. As for the government directly issuing administrative orders, I'm sorry, the Haihan militia has never listened to instructions or propaganda. Only when they want to take action will they say hello to the government in advance. What Malico said

What I mean is to tell the alternate officials present that if Liu Qian hadn't come to ask for this favor, Haihan probably wouldn't have bothered to participate in this effort.

Although the officials present felt that Malico's words were a bit arrogant, the fact was that it was indeed the case, and they had just received the benefits Maliko had given them, so it was not easy to immediately become angry.

Malico continued: "The current security situation on Qiongzhou Island has not yet completely stabilized, and there are still sporadic pirate activities on the island. In order to ensure the personal safety of all of you, I suggest that you cooperate with us in local enforcement after arriving in Qiongzhou.

various safety protection measures to avoid accidents.”

Someone responded: "What could happen? Aren't all the pirates beaten away by your militia?"

Maliko smiled and said: "Since it is an accident, it is something unpredictable. In short, safety is the first priority. You adults don't want anything to happen during your term, right?"

Maliko's words became even more explicit, and Liu Qian quickly stood up and said: "Director Ma's reminder is also for the safety of all adults. I would like to thank Mr. Wang and all the adults present!"

When Liu Qian brought out Wang Zunde's sign, it would be difficult for those present to argue with Malike, otherwise wouldn't it mean that they were going against the Governor?

Malico did not insist on continuing to develop his opinion, but gave up when he saw fit, and followed Liu Qian's words and said: "Now the Governor has temporarily handed over several counties and counties in Qiongzhou Prefecture to our custody, so I would like to express my gratitude to all of you."

Regarding safety issues, we Haihan also have to bear certain responsibilities. As long as you adults can cooperate, everyone's life will be smoother. Okay, I won't say any more nonsense, adults, please board the ship and prepare to set off!

Our armed ships will join the fleet in Panyu County and escort them all the way to Qiongzhou."

The sailboats used by officials are basically rented from the market. Of course, some of them are arranged by related households. The boats are all in the shape of traditional Guangzhou boats. As for the sizes, they vary from small boats with a hundred materials to large boats.

There are big boats with a cost of 400 yuan, which presumably is related to the official ranks and financial resources of these officials. There are also people who are familiar with each other, and two or three families rent a boat together to travel.

The officials' luggage and family servants had already boarded the ship, so it didn't take too long to board the ship. About half an hour later, the group of nine sailboats left the pier one after another. Maliko and Liu Qian stood on the pier, smiling.

He slowly waved goodbye to the people on the boat.

"Master Liu, you must have received a lot of benefits from this screening of candidate officials, right?" Malik continued to wave his arms to the people on the deck, but he was talking about completely unrelated topics.

Liu Qian also responded without changing his expression: "I am wronged by what Director Ma said. The criteria for selecting officials this time are based on your requirements. Speaking of benefits, I can get them from it."

How can the benefits be greater than those of your side?"

Maliko said: "We require screening of candidate officials out of good intentions. If these people go to the local area and are unwilling to cooperate with us in governing the local area, it will affect the business."

Liu Qian glanced at Malike with a half-smile and said: "Director Ma, there is no need to go around talking to each other. What plans you have on Qiongzhou Island are your business.

I don’t have an official position, so I have no interest in meddling in this nosy matter.”

"I just like Master Liu's calm temper." Malik also laughed: "I just want to tell you something. The land at Zhennan Port has been used up, and we plan to start from Hong Kong Island again.

What do you think, Master Liu, of expropriating some land?"

Liu Qian raised his eyebrows and thought that these Haihan people really had no time to spare all day long. They hadn't even finished the matter on Qiongzhou Island yet, so they were eyeing Hong Kong Island again. When the Haihan people wanted to occupy the land in Nangang

, it was Liu Qian who helped with the operation. However, from the tone of Maliko's words, it was obvious that he was not dealing with such a small issue as wanting to acquire an additional one or two hundred acres of land, so he did not rush to express his position, but only looked inquiringly.

Staring at Maliko, waiting for him to continue.

Upon seeing this, Maliko continued: "There is no flat land on the south side of Hong Kong Island. Once a few business houses are built, all the open space is basically taken up. The executive committee hopes to get some more from the north of the island.

We will use the land to build several wharves specifically for docking ships bound for Fujian."

"How much land do you plan to acquire? In which location?" Liu Qian could only ask about the situation first. After all, he could handle this kind of thing for him, but he was not the one who made the final decision.

"Shau Kei Wan, the terrain there is barely adequate, and ships entering and leaving the port all have a shelter from the wind." Malik said with a relaxed expression.

Liu Qian suddenly took a breath of air. Haihan and his gang were really good at picking places, specifically targeting the place where trouble was going to happen. Shaujiwan is now the location of the water stronghold of the Ming Dynasty Navy. If Haihan gets this place, then

What should the navy stationed there do?

Move away? Wouldn’t it become a big joke if the dignified officials and soldiers of the imperial court make room for local militia groups? Don’t move? With the hundreds of old, weak, sick and disabled stationed on Hong Kong Island, and the dozen or so boats that can only be used for fishing,

Is it possible to stop Haihan's large ships equipped with artillery?

Liu Qian thought of two results in an instant, but no matter which one, it seemed difficult to accept. He also knew that as Maliko, he would never say such a thing as a joke, since it was in front of him

If it is raised, it must mean that the Haihan Executive Committee has made the relevant decision, it just depends on what means will be used to implement it in the end.

"Shau Kei Wan...could this place be a little bit sensitive?" Liu Qian thought about it, but still didn't dare to agree to Malik's request. It is a trivial matter for the Haihan people to occupy land. In places like Wanshan Island, they

You can occupy as many as you want, but the Shau Kei Wan area is an important military location guarding the gateway to the waterway between Hong Kong Island and the mainland. If Haihan occupies it, neither the military nor the local government will be able to explain it to their superiors.

Maliko probably had anticipated Liu Qian's attitude, and said with a smile: "Master Liu just said that you and I don't need to talk in circles, why did you forget it so quickly?"

Liu Qian responded awkwardly: "Director Ma, I know that you are very knowledgeable, and if you want to get that piece of land, you can get it no matter what. But I must remind you that Shaujiwan is where our army is stationed.

But it’s very different from the ordinary Borderlands!”

"If it were a borderless land, I wouldn't come here specifically to ask for your opinion." Malik nodded and said, "I understand what you are worried about. In fact, this problem can be easily solved. It just depends on the local Ming army's water level."

The teacher is not willing to cooperate with us."

Liu Qian responded: "I would like to hear the details."

"As far as we know, the navy has only a few hundred troops and less than twenty warships. Moreover, the personal condition of the soldiers and the morale of the entire unit are very poor, and there is no combat effectiveness. In the past few years, Liu Xiang

When they were showing off their power at the Pearl River Estuary, this naval force had been hiding in its shell." Malik paused for a moment, looked at Liu Qian and said seriously: "We also know that the imperial court and Guangdong

The government does not have the ability to change this situation, but this is exactly what we can do."

"How can this be done?" Liu Qian shook his head repeatedly. Although he had not visited the area, he could get an idea of ​​the situation of the navy in Shau Kei Wan from the daily official documents of the Governor's Office. Guangdong a few years ago

The commander-in-chief reported to the imperial court and the Ministry of War asking for money, hoping to purchase new ships and weapons and equipment, and to rectify the pirate gangs along the coast of Guangdong. However, more than half of the imperial court's military investment was thrown into the bottomless pit of northern Xinjiang, and there was no excess at all.

money to maintain the maritime security of the south. After all, compared with the distant Lingnan, the barbarians outside the pass who come to knock on the pass almost every year are much more terrifying. No matter how hard the pirates in the south make it, can they still fight all the way to the capital?

However, the report submitted by the Guangdong General Soldier stated that the increase in military expenditure alone was as high as tens of thousands of taels of silver, so the application was shot down without any suspense. The navy in Guangdong continued to use outdated equipment, and was stationed in Shauji.

The combat effectiveness of this naval force in the Bay is similar to that of the Yazhou Navy that the travelers encountered when they first arrived in Sanya. Such a force is fine for scaring the thieves, but big pirates like Liu Xiang, who have become popular, they

They could only choose to pretend to be a turtle to avoid his sharp edge. Of course, after Liu Xiang left, the people who were on top of them became the Haihan people. After receiving Haihan's violent response to the initial temptation, the navy group used their old tricks.

Shi, retreated to Shau Kei Wan and stopped dispatching.

Liu Qian knew that the Haihan people had a good way of training troops, but if they wanted to change the face of this navy, they would not only train troops. They would also have to change ships and weapons, and it was obviously impossible for the Haihan people to spend their own money to do this.

That's why he felt that Malik's proposal simply lacked feasibility.

Maliko smiled and said: "As long as we want to do something, nothing is impossible. I know you think that those sailors are hopeless and can't be trained no matter how hard they practice. In fact, my point of view is different from yours."

They are consistent. So in order to change this situation, we can only solve it from the root cause - replace all the inappropriate people and equipment, and replace them with the same ones as the navy of our Haihan Militia."

"If I were just like you..." Liu Qian frowned and repeated Malik's words, always feeling that something was wrong: "...just like you!"

Liu Qian suddenly raised his head and said: "You are... planning to send someone to replace them directly!"

"How unpleasant it sounds to be a substitute!" Malik said with a smile: "We are providing money and effort to help the navy replenish its troops and combat effectiveness. The court saves time and worry, what's wrong with that?"

Liu Qian opened his mouth and was speechless for a moment. He didn't expect that the Haihan people were so bold. They didn't intend to drive away the navy at all, but wanted to swallow the navy and the signboard directly.

.

"You are so audacious!" Liu Qian held it in for a long time before speaking out. He really didn't know how to better describe the Haihan people's rampant behavior.

Maliko shook his head and said: "Master Liu, the matter is not as serious as you think. The Ming Dynasty Navy is still the Ming Dynasty Navy after changing people. Why should you continue to do it? You will not go against the court. Why are you so nervous?

?”

"Having said that, how can you deceive others and hide the truth from others..." Liu Qian obviously did not agree with Maliko's statement.

"Yes." Malik interrupted Liu Qian: "It's not difficult to do this. It's just two words - money. If you take care of all the links, you can do it.

.”

Liu Qian is also a person with a quick mind, and he immediately understood what he meant: "You...have already done this in Qiongzhou!"

Maliko looked at him with a smile. This kind of thing was not only done in Qiongzhou, but also far more than one or two places. The earliest time was Yacheng, from the navy to the garrison, they were gradually controlled by the Haihan militia.

Replacement, then this practice was promoted in Qiongnan, and now it has been gradually implemented in the newly occupied areas of Qiongbei.
Chapter completed!