Chapter 856 The concerns of the Lin brothers

When Lin Xing went to Sanya two years ago, Haihan had already completed control of the entire Hainan Island. All local authorities of the Ming Dynasty had been revoked, and only the rule in name was retained, but in fact

Things have changed. A large number of people gave up their status as Ming subjects and naturalized as Haihan. Lin Xing was also shocked by this situation when he first arrived there. This was the first time he saw such a situation of magpie nests being occupied by doves under the Ming Dynasty.

What surprised him most was not the powerful force of the Haihan people, but the fact that the officials in Guangdong and Guangxi turned a blind eye to this, and allowed the Haihan people to occupy Qiongzhou Island without any plans to send troops to suppress the attack.

At that time, Lin Xing and his two brothers had already established a village on Liuheng Island to organize the Sanlin Gang. The purpose of going south to Sanya was just to go here in person to buy a batch of authentic Haihan freight and return it to Zhejiang for profit, but after seeing

After seeing how Haihan operated locally, Lin Xing had more ideas.

The military, financial resources and many advanced technologies that Haihan possesses are naturally beyond the reach of the Sanlin Gang, but some business methods and development ideas can be absorbed and imitated. For example, some of Haihan's initiatives in building a regional trade center,

For example, building a port with complete supporting facilities, organizing and building trading institutions, controlling the pricing power of some commodities, etc., Sanlin Gang can also slowly implement it in Zhejiang. In addition, Sanlin Gang has Shuangyu Port in Zhejiang.

With the addition of this traditional sea market, it is indeed expected that over time it will become an emerging trade center in the East China Sea.

The Haihan people can make their own guns, cannons, and warships. The Sanlin Gang certainly does not have such strength, but with enough financial resources, they can gradually expand their own armed forces. The three brothers of the Lin family started out as pirates, and they have no idea how to form a private company.

The armed forces also have their own set of opinions. Although they are not as good as the professional army built by the Haihan people, it is not difficult to gain a foothold in the East China Sea where there are many forces.

In addition, another trick Lin Xing learned from Haihan was to maintain a good relationship with the Ming government. Haihan had quietly occupied Qiongzhou Island from the Ming Dynasty, but he did not break up with the officials of Guangdong and Guangxi.

The operation in this process is undoubtedly very clever. Lin Xing spent a period of time in Sanya and Guangzhou specifically for this purpose, collecting information from various channels on how Haihan bribed official figures and maintained interests. After returning to Zhejiang, he followed Hulu

Hua Lao gradually opened up the connections at all levels of the Ningbo government. At the end of the year before last, a new prefect came to Ningbo. Sanlin directly sent 200,000 taels of silver to him due to the trust relationship, and the other side accepted it silently. From then on, the three

The Lin Gang now has an important backer.

But Lin Xing had seen the situation that Haihan had managed in Qiongzhou Island, and he knew that the difference was too great. The Haihan people did not directly occupy the coastal and inland areas of Guangdong. This was not necessarily because of lack of strength, but more because they were unwilling to compete with the Ming Dynasty officials.

They just lost face. But their restraint in Guangdong and Guangxi does not mean that they will also save face for the government in Zhejiang. Judging from the fact that their fleet captured Shipu Port, Lin Xing believed that the Haihan people probably did not control the Zhejiang government.

They take it too seriously, and they don't worry about whether the Ming Dynasty will regard it as an invasion and start a war against it.

Lin Si, the youngest, said disapprovingly: "If the Haihan people want to fight against the Ming Dynasty, that's their business. Maybe we can fish in troubled waters and get some benefits. Why is my brother looking sad?"

Lin Xing sighed: "Things can't be as simple as you think! Since the Haihan people have chosen this time to go north to Zhejiang, they want to take root here with peace of mind. They started out in maritime trade, so they naturally want to occupy the ground when they arrive in Zhejiang.

The best and most convenient place, let me ask you, where is the place with the most maritime merchants in Zhejiang? Where is the best place on the East China Sea?"

Lin Siruo responded with enlightenment: "Ningbo, Hangzhou, Shaoxing, and Jiaxing are the areas with the most maritime trade. Zhoushan has the best terrain on the East China Sea... Could it be that the Haihan people have ideas about the Zhoushan area?

"

Linde interjected: "But the Haihan people have no foundation here. If they step in rashly, they may not be able to gain a firm foothold. Instead, they may offend the local officialdom and shopping malls. This risk is too great."

Lin Xing shook his head and sighed: "Why don't you think about it, what kind of foundation do the Haihan people have in Fuzhou and Guangzhou? Not only can they stand firm, but they can also eat the government to death. Countless businessmen are pursuing them, but they are only five or six

In the past year, they have not only taken over Qiongzhou Island, but now they have also taken over Penghu in the Fujian Strait. It is said that they have also set their sights on Dajuan Island. With their nature, they will take it into their hands sooner or later. You said that if they want to

What kind of foundation is needed to start in Zhejiang? They have money, soldiers and means, so what can the government do to fight them?"

Lin Si still asked with some suspicion: "Maybe the officials in Fuzhou and Guangzhou just accepted too much money, so they turned a blind eye to the actions of the Haihan people. If a war really started, would the Ming Dynasty still fight?

Just a bunch of overseas visitors?”

Lin Xing responded: "Third brother, Fujian's Shibazhi was very prosperous a few years ago. What is the current situation? Zheng Zhilong has over a thousand warships and tens of thousands of sailors. Isn't it powerful enough? Isn't it the Fujian Navy?

The allied forces with the Haihan people drove out of the Fujian Strait. When I went to Zhangzhou for business last year, I was lucky enough to have a drink and chat with a group of local navy people. They said that during the previous attack on Penghu, the Shibazhi barely even fought back when they encountered the main fleet of the Haihan people.

They had no strength at all, and many people who came out died, which made them feel cold. If they were to go to war with the Haihan people, these people would probably find an excuse to leave the army immediately. The Fujian Navy has a lot of cooperation with the Haihan people.

I also know the strength of the Haihan Fleet best, and the people I have contacted are all those who have gone on expeditions with it, so there should be no lies."

This made Lin Silin and De speechless. Although they did not believe that the Haihan people were really as powerful as the legends say, they still knew the strength of Shibazhi and the Ming Navy. Since these two families have

They can only go a few rounds under the hands of the Haihan people, so if they were to face the Haihan people, their situation would definitely be far worse than theirs. Although the Haihan people may not necessarily be here just for themselves, but considering such a strength gap, it is inevitable

It's a bit frustrating.

However, Lin Xing's next words wiped away this little bit of luck in their hearts: "If the Haihan people want to settle in Zhoushan, the shipping route from Zhoushan to Fujian will definitely be cleaned up to ensure peace. If there is anything in between

Any private militia that is not aligned with them will definitely be included in the cleanup. We should plan early on how to deal with the Haihan people coming to our door."

Linde muttered: "Then what else can we do? Either fight to the death, or simply surrender to them."

"You and I, the three brothers, have worked hard for many years to get to where we are today. How can such a big business take advantage of outsiders?" Lin Si, however, had objections to Linde's latter choice.

"Although money is important, you must have your own life to spend it. If Haihan really wants to take over the Zhoushan Islands with peace of mind, even if you have ten lives, you can't beat them!" Lin De retorted: "Then Fu Guang and Liang

There are also many maritime merchants in the land who have taken refuge in Haihan and have made their business prosperous. If others can do it, why can't we do it?"

Lin Si sneered: "I'm afraid that if you want to take refuge, the Haihan people may not be willing to take it. It would be boring to have a hot face against a cold butt."

Lin De said angrily: "What do you mean by this? Am I, Lin De, a person who is greedy for life and afraid of death? There are thousands of mouths in these two islet waterways, don't they all depend on you and my brother for food? A small word from us can cost thousands of lives.

It's a big deal, ask my elder brother, when the Haihan people attacked Penghu, how many people were killed by Shibazhi in that battle! If you want to fight, I will accompany you to fight. At the worst, I will die, why should I be afraid?"

Lin Si was scolded a lot, but she bowed her hands in embarrassment and said: "Second brother, my brother made a mistake! I'm just a little unwilling, and I don't have any other intention. Second brother, don't take it to heart!"

Lin Xing also advised: "You don't have to fight. Whether to fight or not to fight, the initiative is not in our hands. Now we have to find a way to find out what the Haihan people want. If they don't take us

In our eyes, that's a good thing. Just be careful not to block their way in the future. But if they show hostility towards us, then we really need to make plans in advance."

Linde asked: "Brother, should we call the Haisha Gang in the south about this matter?"

Lin Xing thought for a while, slowly shook his head and said: "Since we have all got the news, the Haisha Gang will naturally not be unaware. We don't want to provoke Haihan here. If we have a disagreement with the Haisha Gang, who should we listen to?

? If they think the same as us, then won’t we have to continue to compete with them face to face in the future? "

"Brother, what do you mean, use Haihan to deal with the Haisha Gang?" Linde reacted very quickly and asked immediately.

Lin Xing nodded and said: "If Haihan's main fleet comes, it will be easy to destroy the Haisha Gang. All we have to do is to make Haihan hostile to it. Don't think that my elder brother is ruthless. Then Li

After Luo Tou found out about this, I'm afraid he thought the same thing as me. Don't forget that the third leader of the Haisha Gang is Gomez, a member of the Folangji clan. His people have long been in contact with Haihan.

And the style of doing things, I probably heard about it."

"I forgot that there is such a thing!" Lin Si shouted: "It's not too late, don't let the Haisha Gang get ahead of you." He was still complaining about Linde's "capitulationism" just now.

Shame, he changed his attitude in the blink of an eye. Even if he wanted to join Haihan, he would not let his peers take the upper hand. This change of attitude was indeed faster than turning the page of a book.

The Portuguese Gomez holds the third position in the Haisha Gang by virtue of his special nationality. Gomez gathered a group of desperadoes from Europe and purchased a lot of firearms through his own channels.

, including the matchlock guns produced by Haihan in the early years. In terms of armament level, the Haisha Gang is indeed stronger than the Sanlin Gang.

Weapons are secondary. If Gomez uses his identity to find someone to connect with the Han people in Shanghai and make some shady deals, then maybe the Han people will really give Gomez and him some shady deals because of the reputation of his partners.

If the Haisha Gang behind the scenes takes such little care, the unlucky ones may become the Sanlin Gang.

But what happened next stumped the three brothers again - the Haihan people were easy to find, they were in Shipu Port in the south, but the question was who was going to talk to them?

The only one among the three who has been to Sanya and dealt with the Haihan people is the boss Lin Xing. It seems that no one can replace him in this task. Although Lin Si and Lin De are not confident about letting Lin Xing go to Shipu alone.

Port, but the current situation does not seem to allow them to wait any longer. Three or four days have passed from the time Haihan occupied Shipu Port to the time they received the news. No one knows when the Haihan people plan to take the next step.

If we continue to delay the action, we are afraid that the situation will change unpredictably.

On this day, Lin Xing took a few capable men and quietly left Liuheng Island by boat to go south. In terms of time, he set off from Liuheng Island only later than Zhao Cheng and Xu Ke returned to Shipu Port.

It was only one day. At this time, the Haisha Gang, his rival on the same island that he was worried about, had just received the relevant news and had not had time to react.

This Shipu Port is not far from Liuheng Island, and Lin Xing has been to this place many times. Among the various goods confiscated by the coalition forces in Shipu City, some of them belonged to the Sanlin Gang. Of course, Lin Xing also thought about his family.

The whereabouts of the goods have been confirmed, but we no longer have high hopes for this.

When the ship arrived at the waters near Tongtou Island, a few miles north of Shipu Port, Lin Xing had already discovered that there were unique-looking Haihan warships on the nearby sea. It seemed that the rumors that Shipu Port was completely blocked by the Haihan people were not false.

As the ship sailed through the waterway between Tongtou Island and Niulanji Island, and approached Shipu Port, the Haihan warship pursued it quickly.

Lin Xing was afraid that there would be a misunderstanding on Haihan's side, so he asked the sailors to lower the sails and slow down. After the Haihan warship approached, he ordered his people to loudly announce their intention. The Haihan officer commanding the warship did not expect that someone would come here specially.

After visiting, he raised a flag to notify the lookout post on Dongmen Island, which was then forwarded to the command post in the harbor. Lin Xing waited at sea for about two sticks of incense, and the harbor had already sent back an order to let the warship

Guide Lin Xing's ship into the harbor.

Regarding the visit from Liuheng Island, several senior officials in the headquarters were a little surprised after hearing the news. At this juncture when they were about to attack Liuheng Island, the other party actually came to visit themselves. Is this a coincidence or something else?

There is a secret that makes several commanders in charge a little confused. If the pirates on Liuheng Island are aware of the wind direction in advance, it will inevitably add some unpredictable variables to the subsequent combat plan, although it will not affect the final outcome.

The result was not what the commanders wanted to see.

The headquarters sent a message to the ships cruising outside the harbor to bring the ship into the harbor, and at the same time ordered people to find Ma Ling - the person claiming to be Lin Xing, the leader of the Sanlin Gang, naturally needed to identify the talent.

OK.
Chapter completed!