Chapter 594 Zhongzuo City

Due to the large hull of the "Prestige Signal" and the fact that it was already dark, it took longer than ordinary ships to dock. There were hundreds of sailors on the ship and on the shore working with torches and lanterns, using cables and cables.

The winch dragged the huge "Prestige Signal" to the dock bit by bit. It took more than an hour just to bring the seven ships of the fleet into the port. After the ship was parked, Xu Yuzhuo boarded again.

We boarded the "power signal" and asked the people from the mission to disembark and go ashore.

"The operation efficiency of this terminal is low enough." Ning Qi shook his head and gave the Zhongzuo Terminal a failing rating. His scoring standard was based on the average level of ports such as Victory Port, Sanya Port, Heitu Port, and Zhennan Port.

, and the situation here is obviously far from a qualified military dock. Of course, this may also have something to do with the fact that the local dock has never received such a large ship to dock.

"On the contrary, when I see this situation, I feel relieved." Shi Diwen responded with a smile.

"Why?" Ning Qi didn't react for a moment and asked subconsciously.

"Low operating efficiency means that their navy's training intensity is not enough, warships enter and leave the port less often, and their sailors are not skilled enough in the operation of large ships docking." Shi Diwen explained patiently.

"I see, that makes sense!" Ning Qi nodded in sudden realization, and couldn't help but look at Shi Diwen with admiration.

Their mission when they came to Fujian this time was not only to interview Xu Xinsu on some important matters related to cooperation between the two parties, but also to take advantage of this opportunity to collect local intelligence information, which of course also included Fujian's military situation. They could dock from the port

The training status of the local garrison can be inferred from the details. This is indeed something Ning Qi had never thought of before. If Shi Diwen hadn't noticed it, Ning Qi would have missed it inadvertently.

"This is a habit we developed from sailing in the past. Every time we arrive at a new port, we have to observe the operation of the local terminal, and also measure the water depth, flow rate and other data." Shi Diwen said as he pointed out

He pointed to the port side toward the outside, where several soldiers were quietly measuring the water depth and other data with tools according to his previous instructions.

"My Majesty, General Xu Yuzhuo of the Yongning Guards of the Ming Dynasty, respectfully invites the Haihan envoy to come ashore!" Xu Yuzhuo's voice came from the cabin, stopping their discussion.

"Let's go and see this Zhongzuosuo Castle!" Ning Qi didn't show any airs and immediately got up and walked out of the cabin.

However, his wish was not fully realized. Although lanterns and torches were lit on the city wall in the center left, only a rough outline could be seen in the dark night. After getting closer, you can see the height of the city wall.

It is about seven meters long. The outer wall is made of large granite strips. The city wall is complete with battlements, cannon ports, towers and other fortifications. It is the strongest position among the garrison strongholds they have seen since they traveled through.

I saw the ruins of the guard station in Yulinjiao before. The wall was only about half of the Zhongzuosuo City, and most of it was an adobe structure. Only the city gate was made of stone bricks, which was far stronger.

Incomparable.

Starting from the pier, local Ming soldiers stood on the roadside holding torches at intervals of about two feet to welcome this special envoy into the city. As they marched towards Zhongzuosuo City, the soldiers on the roadside were very quiet.

, and there was no phenomenon of walking around at will. Even Ning Qi could feel that the military discipline of this unit at least seemed to be very good.

"There are 1,240 soldiers stationed in the local Zhongzuosuo City. The city has four gates in the east, west, north and south, namely Qiming Gate, Huaiyin Gate, Qiade Gate and Huangshu Gate. The place where you can enter the city is

Huaiyin Gate in the west." Xu Yuzhuo led the way while introducing the situation of Zhongzuo Suo City to the guests: "My father has set up a reception banquet for you in the city, and you can enjoy it later."

"Your father is also in the city?" This news surprised Ning Qi a little. Before he came here, he thought that he would not meet Xu Xinsu until he went to Zhangzhou.

"To be honest, Teacher Ning, my father just came here from Zhangzhou yesterday just to welcome you." Xu Yuzhuo explained.

After the team entered the city from Huaiyin Gate, they soon arrived at the core area of ​​the city, the command center of the garrison. When Ning Qi was in Zhennan Port, he saw the photos of Xu Xinsu secretly taken by the intelligence department provided by Malik, and saw a man with the same face as Xu Yuzhuo.

The vaguely similar old man came over and he recognized the other person's identity.

"Haihan Ning Qi, I have met Mr. Xu!" Ning Qi clasped his fists in salute and took the initiative to say hello first.

"I have admired Mr. Ning for a long time. When I saw him today, he was really majestic and extraordinary in appearance!" Xu Xinsu was a businessman and had been in the world for many years. He said this flattery without hesitation at all.

Xu Xinsu was dressed in casual clothes and not in official uniform, which made Ning Qi feel a little more relaxed. He personally did not like to deal with Ming officials, and he did not want to simply handle the relationship between Haihan and Fujian as a business-to-business relationship.

Mode. If Xu Xinsu insists on receiving the Haihan delegation as the Fujian General Soldier, then there will probably be much less room for maneuver on some of the topics to be discussed next.

Xu Xinsu set up a two-table banquet. Before the banquet started, both parties introduced the people present on their side. Ning Qi noticed that the attendees arranged by Xu Xinsu were not civil servants from the Zhangzhou area. They were all from the military. They also accompanied the guests.

Most of the people here have the surname Xu. It is obvious that the relationship with Xu Xinsu is not just a simple superior and subordinate. In other words, the people Xu Xinsu arranged for this reception banquet are all his own people.

Xu Xinsu did not mention the fortifications at the banquet, but only gave a symbolic greeting about the situation of the mission's fleet on its way to Fujian, and also recalled his own experience of his last visit to Guangzhou. Haihan was also very cooperative.

I was eager to bring up business. After all, there were a lot of people talking on this occasion, and it would be more appropriate to wait until a formal meeting later to talk about some relatively secret matters.

After the banquet was over, Xu Yuzhuo took them to their residence. However, this residence was temporarily organized by the military camp in the city. Xu Yuzhuo was a little apologetic: "Everyone, please stay for one night. I will arrange for you to go to Zhangzhou tomorrow.

A large house has been prepared for you over there, so that you can live comfortably."

Before Ning Qi could respond, Shi Diwen had already rushed in and responded: "It doesn't really matter where you live, as long as it's clean. If it's convenient, we'd like to stay here for two or three more days."

Xu Yuzhuo said with an expression of embarrassment: "To be honest, my father has some important matters that need to be returned to Zhangzhou tomorrow, so I hope to receive all of you distinguished guests in Zhangzhou City where the conditions are better. It's not a problem if you want to stay on Jiahe Island for a few more days.

, I’m just afraid of delaying the important things you all have to do.”

Ning Qi and Shi Diwen exchanged glances, and then said proactively: "Otherwise, I will go to Zhangzhou tomorrow, and Shi Diwen will stay here. It is inconvenient for our big ship to sail into the Zhangjiang River, so it will dock at Jiahe Island

It’s better here.”

This reason is quite sufficient. Although the "Wei Signal" is not a giant, there are indeed some hidden dangers for a sea-going ship of this tonnage to sail into the inland river. What's more, the water conditions of the Zhangjiang River are completely dangerous to the crew.

His eyes darkened, and Ning Qi didn't want to take any risks with the navy's treasure. Moreover, Ning Qi also saw that Shi Diwen must have consciously wanted to stay. Since the military had such a plan, he was also willing to cooperate.

After Xu Yuzhuo settled them down and left, Ning Qi asked: "What are your thoughts on staying?"

Shi Diwen nodded and acknowledged Ning Qi's guess: "It's all in the dark today and I can't see clearly what's going on here. I plan to take some time to study the defense situation here and get a feel for the bottom of Xu Xinsu's army."

"Your military wants to invade Xiamen Island?" Ning Qi made a bold guess very sensitively.

"You are thinking too much." Shi Diwen denied Ning Qi's idea this time: "The military's first choice is Penghu and Taiwan, which are some distance away from the mainland. Even if a military base is to be established here in Fujian, we think Kinmen Island is better than Xiamen.

The island is more suitable, and its location can easily control Quanzhou in the north."

Kinmen Island and Xiamen Island face each other across the sea to the east and west, and are only five nautical miles apart at the closest point. However, Kinmen Island is located farther out, and the radiation control range is relatively larger. It is also farther from Quanzhou in the north than Xiamen.

The island is almost a quarter closer. Of course, Ming troops are also stationed on Kinmen Island. As long as the cooperative relationship between the two parties continues, Haihan will not be able to take some unfriendly actions against "friendly forces". Therefore, what the military said

The development plan formulated did not target Xiamen Island and Kinmen Island off the coast of Fujian, but focused on the area east of the Taiwan Strait.

"The people we sent here have always lived in Zhangzhou City, and there is still no information about the deployment of Xiamen Island. I have to take this opportunity to collect some useful information." Shi Diwen said, while starting from

A SLR camera was found in the suitcase: "I'll go out for a walk tomorrow and take photos of the defense conditions inside and outside the city. They don't know what I'm doing anyway."

"Remember to give me a copy of the photo later. It will become a precious historical document hundreds of years later!" Ning Qi quickly added.

The various expedition teams or combat troops dispatched by Haihan will archive and back up the photographed or recorded image data in the large database in Victory Port. Although it is only theoretically possible to say how many years these data can be stored, the time traveler

We still hope to preserve these original image data until the technological level of future generations can interpret them from the disk.

Shi Diwen responded: "No problem. By the way, did you notice just now that almost all the people attending today are members of the Xu family?"

Ning Qi nodded and said: "Of course I noticed. Xu Xinsu probably doesn't want us to have too much contact with the outside world. It may even be to prevent the news of our visit from spreading too early."

"But this probably won't be possible. When daybreak, our ship will cause a sensation, and ships entering and leaving the Zhangjiang River estuary can also see this big guy!" Shi Diwen winked at Ning Qi and said:

"Didn't we create this big guy just to attract attention?"

Ning Qi ignored Shi Diwen's joke, coughed dryly and changed the subject: "What do you think the representatives of Shibazhi would think if they knew we were coming."

The smile on Shi Diwen's face slowly faded: "I think they have the idea of ​​​​getting rid of us quickly. We are providing Xu Xinsu with arms, training the army, and teaching him how to fight. These things are not a secret.

I believe Shibazhi has known this news for a long time. For them, perhaps cutting off the military assistance behind Xu Xinsu is the best way to defeat Xu Xinsu."

Shi Diwen pointed at himself and then at Ning Qi: "You and I should be their potential targets. Maybe they will send out assassins to see if they can assassinate us."

"You sound like it's dangerous when you say it like that." Ning Qi didn't take it seriously: "If they can assassinate us, they can also assassinate Xu Xinsu. Why do they go through such a big circle to provoke us, who are untouchable?

A big evil star?"

Shi Diwen shrugged and said: "Maybe Xu Xinsu will be killed when we are assassinated. But I must remind you that Zhangzhou is more dangerous than here. You have to be careful about your personal safety."

There is only one Zhongzuosuo City on Xiamen Island. Basically, all troops are stationed in the city. It is generally difficult for outsiders to sneak in. Although there are some fishermen living on the island, they are unlikely to be allowed to enter the city, so they live here

Zhongzuosuo City, which has slightly worse conditions, is actually the safest. In contrast, the situation in Zhangzhou City, which is filled with three religions and nine streams, is indeed much more complicated.

However, Ning Qi was not a timid person. He just smiled calmly and said: "I will be more careful. If someone really comes to assassinate me, I would like to try to see if I have the ability to protect myself."

According to internal security regulations, travelers like them who travel to non-controlled areas on business will be issued personal weapons. Ning Qi also received a pistol and ammunition before departure. Although the last time he practiced target shooting was before crossing, this did not hinder

Ning Qi is very confident in his shooting skills.

"I will let old Morgan go to Zhangzhou with you. With him by your side, I will feel more at ease." Shi Diwen did not recognize Ning Qi's blind confidence and still arranged a protective umbrella for him.

Although the main individual skill that Morgan masters is sniper, his pistol shooting accuracy is also very good - after all, this is the unique skill of sniper to save his life in close combat. Moreover, Morgan has received formal military training, and his reaction and handling methods are very good.

He is a hundred times stronger than a half-hearted person like Ning Qi who only received ten days of temporary military training. He also knows how to protect himself and others when a real situation arises.
Chapter completed!