Chapter 847 The weaker party

"If I had known this, I should have taken advantage of the enemy's formation and rushed out to kill them!" Ma Ling sighed bitterly.

Of course, he just sighed verbally. If he really wanted to open the city gate and fight, few people in the city would dare to take the risk. The Haihan army outside the city were all equipped with muskets, and their weapons were far more sophisticated than those of Shipu Suo.

As a high-ranking military officer, it was definitely the Ming army that suffered in a head-on fight. Ma Ling only had a few hundred men under his command, so he didn't dare to make any trouble. He could only watch the Haihan army outside the city slowly setting up artillery positions.

What Ma Ling was worried about now was not how to defeat the enemy troops outside the city, but how to stop the fighting as soon as possible. Seeing the posture of the enemy troops outside the city, he had long lost his previous composure.

"Tell Zhang Qian to come see me as soon as possible." The only way Ma Ling could think of now was to quickly find someone to leave the city to negotiate with the Haihan Army. And among his closest confidants, it seemed that this was the only one he could use.

Zhang Qian is an old scholar who failed to get any honors. He is over 40 years old and has no ambitions to become an official. He is currently working as a military Chinese clerk at Shipu Institute to earn a living. Zhang Qian's wife and Ma Ling's wife are cousins.

, relying on this relationship, he became Ma Ling's confidant, and occasionally played the role of the master's staff, helping Ma Ling with ideas. Ma Ling did not trust the few people under him who were greedy for life and feared death, and had to force him to do so.

When they go out of the city to negotiate, maybe the first thing they do after going out is to sell themselves, so this matter must be handled by reliable people.

Zhang Qian quickly came to Ma Ling. He seemed to have anticipated Ma Ling's purpose of summoning him at this time, and took the initiative to ask for his orders: "The situation is critical at the moment. Why don't you let me go out of the city to talk to the Haihan people."

Ma Ling pretended to persuade: "It is very dangerous to leave the city at this time. Brother Zhang should think about how to resist the enemy's attack on the city."

Zhang Qian said: "If we can negotiate a peace settlement, the lives of hundreds of soldiers in the city may be saved, but once a war breaks out, the swords and guns have no eyesight, and the casualties will be difficult to control. If I don't go, when the city is broken, I will not be able to escape even if I die.

It's better to give it a try. Since the Haihan people have previously sent a letter to the city to send someone for an interview, they must have left some room, and it is better to give it a try than sit back and wait for death."

Ma Ling originally had the idea of ​​asking Zhang Qian to leave the city for peace talks. Since Zhang Qian took the initiative, he saved the trouble of persuasion. Regardless of whether Zhang Qian's courage was true or false, Ma Ling was grateful at this time.

, after all, it was impossible for him to leave the hundreds of people in the city and go out to negotiate with the enemy in person.

After the two agreed on some details, Ma Ling asked the soldiers to open the city gate and escort Zhang Qian out of the city. However, in order to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, Zhang Qian refused the proposal to bring a few soldiers with him and went out alone.

"Zhang Qian is truly a righteous man!" Ma Ling sighed, and decided to treat his brother-in-law better in the future and try to find a formal establishment for him in the army. Of course, the premise is that he must survive the current difficulties.

OK.

Of course, Zhang Qian was not as brave as he appeared. After the Haihan fleet entered Shipu Port, he had a premonition that something was going to happen to Shipu Station. After the other party concentrated the fleet on the shore and sent people ashore to deliver letters, Zhang Qian

Qian was even more sure that the defenders of Shipu Suo had little chance of winning. Although he was a clerk and was not an expert in military matters, he could at least see that the Haihan fleet was not a mere piece of shit, nor could it be matched by Chang Guowei's navy. Ma Ling

Zhang Qian ordered the city to be closed and defended, hoping to wear down the enemy's patience, but Zhang Qian believed that the enemy would not let Shipu Station be under their noses like this. Sure enough, soon the Haihan Army sent infantry to land and even unloaded cannons.

Arrived ashore.

When Ma Ling sent someone to inform him, Zhang Qian knew that he would have to bear the blame, because all of Ma Ling's men were warriors and couldn't do the negotiation. Even if he didn't want to go, Ma Ling would still force him to go.

, instead of making everyone look bad, it is better to apply for it yourself. This way, you can at least gain a good reputation. If the negotiation fails and you are caught and killed by the Haihan people, it is better than dying silently.

It is better to be in a chaotic army.

Now that Zhang Qian has figured out the worst outcome, he is not so scared after leaving the city. He also knows that if he acts timid, he will not only lose Ming's face, but more importantly, his opponent will see it.

Since he felt guilty, the peace terms could not be negotiated. Although Zhang Qian believed that the most ideal result was that the other party was willing to negotiate for peace, he had to at least leave some room for bargaining for the Ming army.

"Now that I want to negotiate, I really can't shed tears until I see the coffin!" Minami Takahashi put down the telescope in her hand and said with some disdain.

As soon as the gate of Shipusuo City opened, Gao Qiaonan had already received the report. He originally thought that the Ming army in the city dared to go out to fight, but when he saw that someone was released from the city, he obviously planned to come and negotiate terms.

Peace was negotiated. This did not go beyond the expectations of the Haihan side, but the Ming army was so cowardly that Gao Qiaonan was also slightly disappointed.

Xu Yuzhuo, who had just landed ashore, felt a little relieved. If he could avoid quarreling with the Zhejiang Ming Army, it would be better to avoid it as much as possible. After all, his men had also received military pay for several years. If he wanted to attack the Zhejiang Ming Army, how much would it cost?

Everyone will feel awkward because of their status. Of course, he will definitely not come forward to negotiate such matters, leaving all the power to the Haihan people to handle it.

Qian Tiandun and Shi Diwen briefly discussed it, and decided to let Shi Diwen come forward to deal with the Ming army envoys. At this time, the fleet had cleared the area east of Shipu Port, and Xu Yuzhuo was still in command. The navy was

There is no need for him to keep an eye on it personally. The Army's positions outside Shipu Station have not yet been deployed. If the negotiations break down later and need to take action, Qian Tiandun may need to be on-site to take command.

Zhang Qian was worried all the way to the Haihan position, and several scouts who had been out of the field came over with muskets to question his identity. Zhang Qian reported the truth and explained his purpose. After the Haihan soldiers came forward and searched him,

Then he took him into the Haihan camp.

Zhang Qian saw that all the Han soldiers were dressed in gray cloth uniforms. Almost no one was wearing armor or even a helmet. But let's say they were poor. Basically everyone had a musket in their hands, which was far better than the three in the Ming army.

50% of the equipment of musketeers. Moreover, there are so many artillery in the Haihan army, and I am afraid that the number has exceeded the entire Ming Dynasty garrison of Changguo Guard.

Zhang Qian arrived at the Central Army and saw that the Haihan army that had just landed was gathering here. Hundreds of Haihan soldiers silently and neatly followed the officer's instructions and quickly formed a queue, preparing to march to the front line. Even if Zhang Qian does not understand military affairs

, you can also feel the chilling aura in these soldiers, which is definitely not what the Ming troops like Shipu Suo, who have been away from battle for a long time, can possess.

"The little man Zhang Qian, the clerk of Shipu Guards, has met all of you heroes!" After Zhang Qian was led into the tent of the headquarters, he quickly bowed and introduced himself.

"We are not just heroes. I am Shi Diwen, the supreme commander of the Haihan East China Sea Fleet. What you see outside are the men and horses of our East China Sea Fleet." Shi Diwen introduced himself unhurriedly.

Zhang Qian thought to himself that this fleet is the "East China Sea Fleet", so there must be a "South China Sea Fleet". A fleet of this size, the entire Ningbo Prefecture... No, maybe the entire Zhejiang Navy cannot gather the same combat strength.

fleet. The strength of the Haihan people at sea is indeed as strong as the rumors. Although I have never seen the conditions of the Haihan people fighting at sea, I think that the Fujian Navy has such high regard for Haihan, it should not be bad.

"It's the villain who made a mistake." Zhang Qian apologized while thinking about how to call this Haihan officer. Calling him "sir" or "jun lord" is definitely not in line with the rules. Calling him "master" seemed a bit too green, so in the end he could only force himself.

With a smile on his face, he called: "Master Shida, this is the boundary of the Ming Dynasty. It seems a bit...unfriendly for your fleet to be blocked in Shipu Port like this."

Shi Diwen thought that this was not only unfriendly, but also a situation that could start a war at any time. However, since the Ming army’s envoy was here, the deployment outside would still take some time, so he didn’t mind spending some time to hear what the envoy had to offer.

Rhetoric.

Zhang Qian continued after thinking about it: "I heard that Haihan has always been on good terms with me, the Ming Dynasty, and has done many righteous deeds to assist the government in eradicating bandits in Fujian and Guangzhou provinces. Why did he do such illegal things when he arrived in Zhejiang? Ma Qianhu of Shipu Guards Station Gu Nian

Your fleet has just arrived and doesn't understand the rules on the ground, so it quickly retreats without caring about your abrupt actions."

Although they came to negotiate peace, Ming Dynasty's face should not be lost casually. Those who should be reserved should be reserved first. Zhang Qian estimated that the Haihan people might be afraid of the majesty of Ming Dynasty in their hearts, so they really retreated. That would be a good thing.

One thing. Of course, this was just a good wish, and it was shattered immediately.

"It is right that we have good relations with the Ming Dynasty, and we are willing to help the local government solve the troubles caused by land and sea bandits, but this also requires the local government to cooperate with us." Shi Diwen responded: "I heard that pirates have been rampant in the waters near Ningbo Prefecture for many years.

The government has been unable to solve the banditry problem. We, the Haihan Army, could not bear the suffering of the people of Zhejiang, so we sent our troops north to prepare to completely solve this problem for the Zhejiang government!"

Zhang Qian cursed in his heart and said, "It's none of your business whether the people of Zhejiang endure hardships or not. Who wants you to come all the way here to meddle in this business?" But he said with a smile on his face: "His kindness is really admirable to me. I'm just using troops in Zhejiang."

, you must first obtain permission from the imperial court, permission from adults at all levels in Zhejiang, and state the time, place, and action plan before you can enter the defense areas of each guard post. Otherwise, misunderstandings and conflicts will arise, which will not end well."

"If we follow your rules, I'm afraid we won't be able to enter Zhejiang in ten or eight years, right?" Shi Diwen said with a smile: "I think it's better to follow our way. Go back and ask the Ming army in the city to put down their weapons.

, leave the city and accept our control. We will save some ammunition, you can save your lives, and everyone will not have to harm the peace."

Zhang Qian could hardly control the expression on his face when he heard this. Although he knew that these Haihan people had no good intentions in their actions, hearing the commander of the other side say it so bluntly made him feel uncomfortable as a Ming citizen.

Zhang Qian retorted: "This is the territory of the Ming Dynasty, and we must follow the rules of the Ming Dynasty!"

Shi Diwen said: "Oh? Did the pirates of the East China Sea abide by the laws of the Ming Dynasty? Do you, the soldiers in Shipu Institute, fulfill your obligations to defend the Ming Dynasty's waters? Rules must be enforced by someone, just write them on paper

Go on, who can you scare? The thousands of Haihan soldiers outside this tent can uphold my Haihan's rules. What can you do to uphold your rules?"

"Having said that, what is the difference between your actions and those of the East China Sea pirates?" Zhang Qian certainly did not agree with Shi Diwen's statement and continued to argue: "What you did at this time can be regarded as

Invasion, I would like to advise shopkeeper Shi Da not to openly become an enemy of Ming Dynasty!"

Shi Diwen said: "Being an enemy of Ming Dynasty? This is just your idea. If I order the destruction of Shipu Institute now, what do you think the consequences will be?"

Shi Diwen looked at Zhang Qian's eyes rolling around and said calmly: "After receiving the news, the Zhejiang governor may be in chaos for a day or two and dispatch Ming troops from other places to intercept us. We will have several fights in a row.

After the battle is defeated, the big shots will find that they cannot attack us. If they do not want to be reprimanded by the court, they will have no choice but to cover up the matter and not report it to the higher authorities. As for the unlucky ones like Shipu Suo, they will probably give them random names.

For example, if you encounter a shipwreck while patrolling at sea, or if you are killed while killing pirates, we will give you a reasonable reason to disappear. At that time, the commander of Chang Guowei or a higher-level official will come to negotiate with us, and the tone will be better than yours.

They are much more polite now. In the end, they will reach some exchange terms with us and meet our requirements in exchange for stability in the coastal areas. No one will mention victims like you again after this incident is over."

"No...it won't..." Although Zhang Qian refused to believe Shi Diwen's rhetoric, he felt that it seemed reasonable. Those big figures who were only interested in profit would really put the lives of people like Shi Pusuo at risk.

Is it more important than their official careers?

"Even if you people can make some money for the adults, can you compare with the benefits we can bring?" Shi Diwen saw that Zhang Qian's position was in chaos, and he continued to strike while the railway was hot: "Even if you all die here in the battle,

, no one will care in the future, there will not even be an exact cause of death, and the court will not recognize your sacrifice, because this will be a huge shame for the Ming Dynasty."

Shi Diwen raised his hand and pointed at Zhang Qian and said: "It is meaningless for you and the Ming army in Shipu to continue fighting. Think about your families. If you all die, who will support them? At this moment,

Under this situation, I suggest that you survive first and then consider other things. I will give you an hour to think clearly. After you return to the city, you can give good advice to the thousands of households in the city. Remember, you only have one hour, and the time is up.

If you still refuse to cooperate with us, then you are sorry!"
Chapter completed!