Chapter 560 A showdown

At dinner time, someone came to the door to invite two alternate officials to the banquet. Originally, they planned to go there in official uniforms, but now that they were new arrivals, there was no guard of honor for the trip, and Li Jin's only four personal soldiers were also beaten.

The two of them were injured and sent to the hospital. They couldn't wear official uniforms and act as polished commanders, otherwise they would lose their identities. In desperation, the two of them had to give up the idea and put on civilian clothes. Zhang Xin was considerate to help them.

A carriage was arranged to avoid the embarrassment of having to walk to the banquet.

The reception banquet arranged by Zhang Xin for them was held in a restaurant in the city, occupying the entire second floor. However, the banquet was not paid for by the management committee, but by the newly established Danzhou Chamber of Commerce. This was not the case.

It was not simply to flatter the two new adults, but to give face to the Haihan Management Committee. This group of businessmen were the first to realize the changes in the local situation, and they quickly adjusted their attitudes and began to move towards stronger

The Haihan side moved closer.

The members of the Danzhou Chamber of Commerce, which was established under the arrangement of the management committee, are basically merchants who are willing to cooperate with Haihan. With Haihan's intentional support, these merchants can not only obtain the supply of in-demand commodities

Better protection, and in terms of settlement, transportation, and business scope, they can have first-class treatment than ordinary merchants. In this way, those merchants who openly and secretly boycott Haihan and adopt an uncooperative attitude will face difficulties in their operations.

There are quite a few difficulties.

Although the types of commodities that Haihan can currently supply to the Danzhou market are still relatively limited, bulk commodities related to people's livelihood such as grain, salt, pig iron, and coal are all under Haihan's control. In addition, such as cloth, oil, and wood,

Most of the trade channels for spices and other living substances are also controlled by the Haihan commerce. The most important thing is the transportation channel, whether it is sea or land transportation. For the Qiongbei area, which is still under military control, there is no Haihan control.

Due to the pass order issued by the committee, bulk goods cannot be transported between various places at all. One of the thresholds for obtaining such a pass order is that you must first join the newly established Danzhou Chamber of Commerce.

The bosses who joined the Chamber of Commerce benefited from it, so they naturally found the right time to give some small rewards to the Management Committee. I heard that the imperial court sent alternate officials to Danzhou, and as soon as the people from the Chamber of Commerce gathered together, they immediately went to find Zhang Xin

, took the initiative to contract this banquet to wash away the dust. On the one hand, it can flatter the management committee, and on the other hand, it can sell well in front of the new officials. This deal is a good deal anyway.

Zhang Xin doesn't know the plans of these businessmen, but he doesn't mind that some people do these things with two sides. The great momentum Haihan has achieved in Hainan Island is no longer the result of the Ming Dynasty sending a few alternate officials.

It can be changed as soon as it comes, and it can also help some people who are not firm in their stance to see clearly how much influence the so-called Ming Dynasty and the so-called orthodoxy can still have in the territory ruled by Haihan.

After the two arrived at the restaurant by car, Zhang Xin came out to greet them personally, and then took them to the second floor. There were three tables for today's banquet. The main table was for local officials and the person in charge of the management committee. Of course, they could still sit here.

Most of the officials had joined Haihan's leadership party. For example, Xiao Laosan, who had a conflict with Li Jin in the morning, was also present. The other two tables accompanying guests were representatives of local businessmen and cultural circles.

The merchant table was fine, and Yan Mingjun was not very interested in getting to know these guys who smelled like copper. He just said a few polite words. When he arrived at the cultural table, Yan Mingjun cheered up, because this was very interesting.

Probably his only local ally.

And the lineup of guests at this table did not disappoint him. They brought together the heads of the most famous local cultural institutions such as Bailu Academy, Qingfeng Academy, Nanhai Academy, etc., and all of them were scholars with outstanding academic achievements.

The portion was generous. Yan Mingjun exchanged greetings one by one, and Zhang Xin saw it in his eyes and did not try to dissuade him.

After introducing the people at the three tables and the two new officials taking their seats, Zhang Xin announced that the banquet was open without any polite words. Yan Mingjun originally wanted to take this opportunity to say a few words, but someone at the same table had already stood up and greeted him.

To propose a toast, I had to hold back my words first and finish the toast before talking about it. However, it was almost impossible to finish the meeting at the beginning, and people from behind lined up to join in. If Li Jin hadn't been a good drinker, he would have blocked half of the way for Yan Mingjun.

, he would probably have to lie down on the spot after drinking this round.

Yan Mingjun saw that some people were already eager to try and prepare for the second round. He knew that if he continued like this, even if Li Jin sat next to him in the wine tank, it would not be an option. He quickly stood up and said: "Everyone, can I say a few words first?"

"

After hearing this, everyone did not rush back to their seats, but looked at Zhang Xin's face first. Zhang Xin coughed dryly and said: "Master Yan has just arrived in Danzhou, so he should have felt everyone's enthusiasm. Then everyone will

Welcome Master Yan to say a few words!"

Everyone put down their wine glasses and applauded loudly. When Yan Mingjun was puzzled, Zhang Xin explained: "It is our Haihan habit to applaud before and after the leader speaks. Sir Yan, please invite me!"

Yan Mingjun cleared his throat and said: "After the bandit disaster occurred in Qiongzhou last year, the emperor and the court officials were also very worried. Fortunately, Mr. Wang, the governor of Guangdong and Guangdong, responded appropriately, commanded well, and mobilized all parties to quickly calm down the incident.

Banditry..."

Speaking of this, Yan Mingjun probably felt a little lack of confidence himself. After all, everyone here was involved in Danzhou, and they all knew how the areas where Qiongbei fell were rescued. If he boasted too much, these people would be in the way.

If you don't expose it on the spot with your face, you must have thoughts in your heart.

However, he is still a person who holds the post of magistrate, and he still has a thick skin. He quickly passed this embarrassing scene: "Now I am recommended by the governor and appointed by the court to come to Danzhou to take over as the magistrate of the state.

I hope that all my colleagues and gentry here will assist me in governing Danzhou well in the future..."

Suddenly, Zhang Xin coughed and interjected: "I think it is better for the management committee to handle the matter of governing Danzhou for the time being."

Zhang Xin said this without any tone, but the atmosphere at the table immediately turned cold. Yan Mingjun did not expect that Zhang Xin, who was originally polite, would choose such an opportunity to suddenly jump out and stab him, and he was stunned for a moment.

He was stunned. When he came to his senses, he realized that not one of the 20 or 30 people present had spoken out to accuse Zhang Xin.

In front of so many people, Yan Mingjun couldn't just shrink back, so he had to take action himself: "What does Director Zhang mean by this?"

Zhang Xin said calmly: "I don't mean anything else. Mr. Yan, you came to Danzhou to be the magistrate of the state, so just do what you should do. As for the local government affairs, they will be completely handed over to you, I guess."

It will take some time. For the sake of the stability and security of Danzhou, I think it is more appropriate for the temporary management committee organized by us to manage the daily affairs of Danzhou."

Yan Mingjun retorted: "Danzhou is a territory belonging to the Ming Dynasty, and I am an official of the imperial court. Since I am appointed as the magistrate of Danzhou, it is only natural to manage this place. Your management committee should assist me and get familiar with the local people's conditions as soon as possible.

.”

Zhang Xin shook his head and said: "Master Yan, you are new here and don't understand the local situation. If you take over government affairs rashly, I'm afraid there will be many problems. I think this step should be slowed down and done step by step. Master Yan still

Let’s first spend three to five months getting familiar with the local people’s conditions, and then talk about accepting government affairs.”

Before Yan Mingjun could respond, Li Jin beside him could no longer sit still. He slapped the table and said, "Bold! The imperial court has appointed me here to take up the post. There is no room for you to interfere!"

Zhang Xin, however, was not intimidated by his slapping the table and hitting the bench. He still said in a calm tone: "As for Mr. Li's succession process, I'm afraid it will be more troublesome than Mr. Yan. The local garrison last year

The organization has been broken up during the pirate siege. So far, the local security has been maintained by the Haihan militia. If Mr. Li plans to rebuild the local garrison, he will probably have to recruit and train new troops."

"You..." Li Jin raised his hand and wanted to slap the table again to get angry, but found that this time he had no sufficient reason.

Last year, pirates ravaged Qiongbei. The entire Ming army stationed in Qiongbei, except for Fucheng, was disorganized and almost all officers above the general level were lost. Coupled with the rapid entry of the Shanghai Han militia, it was basically impossible after the war.

It would be impossible to organize reconstruction. When the Guangdong government saw that the chaos in Qiongzhou was calmed down, they had no plans to rebuild the garrison as soon as possible. After all, the cost of organizing and recruiting thousands of troops would not be a small amount. Moreover,

Most of the troops originally stationed in Qiongzhou were mainly guards. To organize troops from other places to station them was obviously a measure that was not in compliance with the rules and required a lot of financial support to be implemented. Therefore, delays were made intentionally or unintentionally.

Although the war has passed for several months, the garrison organization in Danzhou has not been rebuilt so far.

It is easy for Li Jin to take over the post of general here, and he can do it at any time. But what he can take over is an empty shell, and there are not even soldiers to command - the people under Xiao Laosan will definitely not

Listen to his command. And there is no chance that the Haihan police and militiamen who currently control the public security in Danzhou will listen to his command. Regarding this, he had already experienced this firsthand at Baimajing Pier in the morning.

It’s okay if you feel unconvinced. Li Jin can recruit his own troops locally. After all, he has the title of Danzhou General in mind, and he still has certain authority to act. However, the problem is not just whether he can recruit in Danzhou.

Soldier, but whether he has enough money to do this.

The establishment of the Danzhou Guard Army is two thousand-household units, which means the establishment is in the early 2000s. Even if one soldier is recruited and given 20 taels of housing expenses, the basic cost will be 4000 taels. This money is even if he sells himself

It's impossible to get it together. And as a military general, he doesn't have soldiers, and he doesn't even have the qualifications to shout, unless he is willing to abandon the dignity of a military general and follow Yan Mingjun's example to fight with words.

After Zhang Xin choked Li Jin back, he continued: "From last year's banditry, we can find that the local government's ability to govern Danzhou is relatively limited, and the governance achievements of Haihan after taking over Danzhou are beyond recognition.

It is obvious to all. If anyone thinks there is anything wrong, they can say it now in front of the new Lord Governor."

Yan Mingjun looked at the table of people in the cultural world with hope. He knew that the guys in the business world were completely unreliable, and the local officials at the same table had no moral integrity at all. He could only hope that the people in the cultural world could still do it.

Remember to uphold the Ming Dynasty’s orthodoxy.

However, what disappointed him was that all the people at the table were looking at their noses and noses, and their minds were in concentration. They were as quiet as an old monk sitting in meditation. No one tried to take the initiative to stand up to defend the interests of Ming Dynasty at this time. Yan Mingjun took a deep breath

He said in a deep voice: "I am a scholar who has read a lot of poems and books. I should be able to understand justice and distinguish between loyal and traitorous. I wonder what everyone here thinks!"

Now that the roll call has come to an end, the group of people in Danzhou's cultural circles can no longer pretend to be deaf and dumb. After some negotiation, the person in charge of Bailu Academy came forward to speak: "Everyone from Haihan

We have all watched with our own eyes how the chief minister will govern after he arrives here. Not to mention anything else, at least we are convinced by the propaganda on culture and education. Mr. Yan is unaware of something. After Haihan came here, he vigorously set up private schools.

, many unemployed scholars were invited to be teachers, and all children under the age of fourteen were admitted to school free of charge. Even the books and ink used for literacy were provided by them. In the past two years, whether Danzhou students participated in the provincial examination or

Haihan will always provide financial subsidies for the joint examinations, and will also arrange ships to be sent to Guangzhou to take the examinations. There are many benevolent and righteous deeds."

The person in charge of Qingfeng Academy also added: "In addition, Haihan also often funds local literati to organize various activities to meet friends through literature, such as the Danzhou Poetry Festival in the golden autumn every year, which will be held for the third time this year.

It is already considered the largest cultural event in Qiongzhou. There are at least seven or eight such events a year in Danzhou, all of which are sponsored by Haihan. If Mr. Yan wants to know what Danzhou literati say about Haihan,

I can only use the word 'excellent' as an answer."

"Even if Haihan took money to sponsor local colleges, it is two different things than they are now replacing the local government with management committees!" Yan Mingjun was so angry that he retorted loudly. However, he himself had also realized that the responsibility of these local colleges

All the people were probably bribed by Haihan. Thinking about it, I thought the problem was too simple. Since the Haihan people can allow these people to attend today's occasion, of course they are very relieved about their stance. I hope these people will be in Haihan

The Han people expressed their loyalty to the Ming Dynasty in front of them, but they obviously thought too much.

Sure enough, among the cultural circles at the table, you looked at me and I looked at you. Although no one spoke out against his statement, no one planned to change their position and stand up to support him.
Chapter completed!