Several rows of shacks have been built outside the pier, and more than a hundred naval officers and soldiers have been left to guard them.
But until today, the arrival of a large number of refugees has shown that Dongjiang Town's previous preparations were so inadequate. The shacks were a drop in the bucket, and the navy's officers and soldiers were also thin.
Originally, there were not that many refugees fleeing from the northwest to come here, but along the way, poor people from Shanxi, Henan, and even Beizhili also learned about Liaodong's resettlement policy and came here after hearing about it.
The great disaster has begun, erupting in Shaanxi, gradually sweeping eastwards along the Yellow River, affecting other provinces, and becoming more severe.
Shaanxi has been experiencing severe drought for several years, with refugees everywhere and civil unrest rising;
From the third to the seventeenth year of Chongzhen, Henan was "a thousand miles of bare land, with no grass in the fields, and nine out of ten houses were empty";
Lu Weiqi, Minister of the Ministry of War in Nanjing, wrote in "Lingshu of the Central Plains": The leaves are yellow and the ground is red, the villages are almost deserted, the bones are white and green, and ghosts are often heard crying every night.
Although the disaster situation in the northern provinces is not as serious as Shaanxi, local disasters occur almost every year.
For example, in Shandong, there was a severe drought in the 43rd year of Wanli. 104 prefectures and counties were affected by the disaster. “There was no rain, the fields were withered, and thousands of miles were burning. The land was bare for thousands of miles, there was great hunger, people were eating each other, and the dead were piled up... Seven out of ten died.
Eight, twenty-three out of ten survivors, few people..."
In the first year of Chongzhen, there was a tsunami in Hangzhou, Jiazhou, and Shaoxing, which destroyed tens of thousands of people and drowned tens of thousands of people;
In the summer of the first year of Chongzhen, there was a drought in Jifu, and the red land was thousands of miles away;
In the second year of Chongzhen, there was a famine in Shaanxi and Shanxi;
In the third year of Chongzhen, there was a flood in Shandong...
In ancient times, the lack of infrastructure, backward technological levels, insufficient transportation levels, and slow information transmission resulted in low government efficiency and the people's powerlessness in disasters.
If we talk about the past, the built-up captives in Liaodong would definitely have become an absolute obstacle to the migration of disaster victims. War should be the biggest concern before hunger.
But now, after the great victory in Zunhua, the slave chieftain Taiji has been crowned the head of the capital, which has greatly dispelled the worries of the victims.
Under the propaganda and instigation of the imperial court, after the great victory of the Dongjiang Army, many people had the impression that the imperialist empire was declining and would soon perish.
In addition, the policies offered by Dongjiang Town are very attractive and the government's relief is insufficient. It is not surprising that the people took the risk and came here for the only way to survive.
Dozens of large porridge pots were cooking porridge. Potatoes and corn shipped from Lushun were the staple foods, and they were also the delicacies that the victims ate to survive.
A girl with a dirty face, holding a broken bowl in her hand, stood obediently in the queue, moving forward slowly. She was very tired and hungry, and her lean face showed anxiety.
Look back from time to time.
Not far away, a woman in ragged clothes was sitting emaciated and leaning against a tree, looking feebly.
Apparently, she was too weak to move and could only wait for her daughter to bring her food. A bowl of porridge would be her hope of survival.
Two men who were thin but still had some strength suddenly jumped into the queue to receive the porridge, causing crowding and commotion.
The little girl was pushed and her body, which had lost much strength, fell to the ground. The broken bowl fell to the ground and broke into pieces.
With a sound, the little girl sat up from the ground, looked at the broken bowl, and cried loudly.
The woman not far away opened her mouth and made a weak sound. She tried hard to move her body, but fell to the ground feebly.
People were angry but dared not speak out, but the two men turned a blind eye and just stared at the fragrant and steaming porridge pot in front of them.
"Pull those two bastards out." An angry voice suddenly rang out. Li Haidong strode closer with a few soldiers. With a sullen face, he pointed at the two men.
The soldiers rushed forward like wolves and tigers, pulled out the two men who had jumped in line, and beat and kicked them. The two men screamed in pain, but no one showed sympathy. They all looked at them with indifference or pleasure.
Li Haidong stepped forward and picked up the little girl, wiped her tears, and led her directly to the front of the team. He told the people who had been summoned temporarily to serve the porridge: "Bring a big bowl and serve it to her first."
The people agreed respectfully, took a large porcelain bowl, filled it full, put an iron spoon on it, and brought it to Li Haidong.
Li Haidong nodded, took the porridge bowl, turned to the little girl, smiled, and said, "Let's go over there and eat."
The little girl blinked her big eyes and pointed, "Mom is over there, I want to feed her."
Li Haidong looked at the woman who had been helped up by others and was leaning on the tree trunk again, and led the little girl over.
The little girl fed her mother spoonful by spoonful. Even though her stomach made a growling sound from hunger, she just swallowed dryly and refused to take a bite.
Li Haidong watched from the side, his eyes flashed with emotion and a bit of admiration. He turned and walked away, and soon brought another bowl of porridge over.
"The porridge tube is enough." Li Haidong put the porridge next to him and said, "There are also shacks for women and children to stay temporarily. After you have eaten, go over there and find the steward, and he will make arrangements for you."
The woman seemed to have gained some strength, and her lifeless eyes were now somewhat flexible. She lowered her head hard and thanked her in a weak voice.
"Thank you, sir." The little girl lay on the ground and kowtowed to Li Haidong. The child was very sincere and kowtowed to the ground, staining her forehead with dust.
Li Haidong smiled, reached out to help her up, wiped the child with his sleeve, patted the little girl's face, and turned to leave.
The queue to receive porridge became orderly, and the common people looked at the soldiers with guns and knives in awe. Two men with bruises and swollen faces did not even dare to raise their heads and lined up honestly.
The rules were explained repeatedly, but verbal preaching was far inferior to a violent correction. This kind of competition occurred every day, and Li Haidong already felt that he was stretched thin with these manpower alone.
But when the people arrived, their bodies were many and very weak, and it took them three to five days to have enough strength to carry out the bumpy voyage on the sea.
"After receiving the emergency report, people should be sent to support soon." Li Haidong looked at the crowds of immigrants and said with a frown: "But we can't just wait, buy materials, mobilize the victims, and build our own mats first.
Have a sheltered place to sleep and rest.”
"Yes, let's take care of this humble job." Zhao Huajing bowed his hands and turned to leave.
Zhao Huajing is Li Haidong's subordinate in Tianjin. He is familiar with the local situation and is very smart and capable.
"Bring a few more people and buy some rice." Li Haidong raised his hand to stop Zhao Huajing and explained again.
Seeing Zhao Huajing leading the people away, Li Haidong breathed a sigh of relief.
Although there are a lot of potatoes, corn, and salt stored in the dock warehouse, the unexpected number of victims may not be able to sustain it for long.
Tianjin is located at the crossroads of rivers and seas, an important commercial port for water transportation, and there is no shortage of food.
Of course, this is only the current situation. When the disaster becomes serious, the drought continues, inland water transportation is almost cut off, and the transportation of grain from the south to the north is blocked, the people in the north will really be in dire straits.
………………
When Guo Dajing in Dalian received the report on the situation in Tianjin from Chen Jisheng, several ships of food had been urgently dispatched from Lushun, and along with them were two hundred officers and soldiers, and dozens of government officials.
The same situation also occurred in Shandong. After the flood, people who had nothing and faced famine flocked to Denglai in thousands.
Sun Yuanhua, the governor of Denglai, was kind-hearted and mobilized government forces to temporarily resettle the victims, which also saved a lot of work in Dongjiang Town.
Although the number of immigrants exceeded expectations, at least they did not expect that there would be such a climax this year. However, the amount of food in Dongjiang Town is still sufficient, and the autumn harvest is around the corner. The year is good, and there is no need to worry.
"It's better to say that those in Shandong are not all immigrants from Tianjin." Guo Dajing put down the report and said with some helplessness: "After a few days of hard work, many people may change their minds if they gain strength."
Zhou Qing didn't see the actual situation and couldn't make an accurate judgment, but according to Guo Dajing's tone, he didn't want to bother to restrict or screen, so he smiled and said: "There is no good way to do this. You should just give out porridge and do charity, and fight."
Good reputation."
Guo Dajing nodded, turned to He Guizhong, and joked: "Boss He is so lucky. In the prosperous place of the capital, the hotel is open in a prosperous manner, and he has a good sister, and we returned to Liaodong together."
He Guizhong scratched his head and laughed twice, and said: "Sir, don't make fun of me. This is just a coincidence, a coincidence."
"It's fate, it's not just a coincidence." Zhou Qing said with a smile: "I think, don't deal with it like this, give someone a name, and you will have a family, so you can rest assured."
Guo Dajing nodded repeatedly and said: "Let's settle down the house first, and then I can arrange work for you. I'm just missing a reputation, so I can just pierce the window paper and that's it."
He Guizhong chuckled and said: "I want to mention it first, as if I am forcing her; she is very thin-skinned."
"Then let me tell you that I will be your matchmaker." Guo Dajing waved his hand cheerfully and said, "It's a little late today. I'll be a guest at your house tomorrow and settle the matter by the way."
"Shuai Guo is here. I really have to prepare." He Guizhong said with a smile: "This food can't be too shabby. Brother Zhou will come with us. Let's have a good meal."
Zhou Qing quickly waved his hand and said: "As for the marriage, I won't go. When you get married, you must go to the bridal chamber."
Guo Dajing stood up and said, "Then let's leave now. As for me, I'll stop by the door and you won't have to answer the door tomorrow."
Guo Dajing sincerely hopes that his old brothers who have been with him through life and death can live well. They all lost their families in the war, and reorganizing the family also means a new beginning.
From He Guizhong's verbal description, not only Guo Dajing, but also Zhou Qing guessed that this matter was short of an explicit explanation. In this case, Guo Dajing simply acted as a matchmaker and arranged a marriage, and accomplished this good thing.
As he said, if He Guizhong gets married, the work arrangement will change and he cannot be sent away for a long time.
Originally, He Guizhong was good at doing business, and Guo Dajing was going to send him to take charge of Panjin's horse market. Now, he can only replace him. Of course, this is not a big deal.
The time to leave Dalian is getting closer and closer, and in just a few days, Guo Dajing will return to the army and devote himself to planning the autumn battle plan.
Because potatoes and rye are early-maturing varieties, they are harvested half a month earlier than corn, which also means that the autumn harvest in the Jianlu-ruled areas also takes the same time in the evening.
This was a time difference. Just when Jianlu thought that his opponent was also busy with the autumn harvest, the Dongjiang Army was able to launch one unit and get into an attacking position.
A few days before and after Jianlu's autumn harvest began, Guo Dajing would lead his troops into Jianzhou, trying to attack Hetuala, and set fire to Jianlu's so-called Longxing Land.
In order to ensure victory, the infantry association for this operation included Mao Chenglu's former infantry association and Li Weiluan's right association, as well as a flying cavalry battalion, plus part of the special operations battalion, which can be said to be a strong force.
At the same time, a containment operation will also be launched in southern Liaoning. The navy will send ships upstream from the Sancha River, pass through the mouth of the Haicheng River, and reach the bottom of Haizhou City.
In conjunction with this, two infantry associations will move forward, press on the Haicheng River, confront Jianlu across the river, and wait for an opportunity to conduct a certain feint of crossing the river and landing.
As long as Jianlu was not prepared to give up the core control area of Liaoshen, the reinforcements that could be transferred to Jianzhou Guards were very limited, at most one mobile corps and eight thousand cavalry.
Even with the addition of the four to five thousand defenders of the Jianzhou Guard, the troops led by Guo Dajing still had an advantage of more than two to one, and there was almost no possibility of failure.
By the time the Jianlu forces in Liaoshen received news of their failure, it was already too late to send reinforcements.
Guo Dajing and He Guizhong were riding horses and chatting while walking. He Guizhong had reservations about the autumn attack plan.
In his opinion, it would be more practical to defeat the Jianlu in one fell swoop when the Dongjiang Army's strength increases and it possesses more superior strength.
"There will be at least 20,000 to 30,000 people immigrating this time. If we expand to another association, it shouldn't be much different..." He Guizhong said his thoughts and expressed concern about Guo Dajing leading his troops deep into the enemy's lair.
"Running a long distance, crossing mountains and ridges, and carrying few heavy weapons, Guo Shuai did not have to take such risks." He glanced at Guo Dajing and continued: "This is still different from the battle fought under Zunhua City. different."
Guo Dajing nodded and said: "It is indeed different, but the launch of our army is sudden and unpredictable by Jianlu. I can't tell you the specific battle plan. You also know my temper and temperament. If you are not sure, I will not start a war."
After a pause, he shook his head with a wry smile and said: "Whether it is to give an explanation to the court or for more immigrants to come in, this battle is inevitable. If Jianlu suffers heavy losses again, it should subside in winter, and it will Provide time for our army to expand again."
It was already autumn, and there was no hope of farming. If they did not want to starve to death when the weather was cold and the ground was freezing, the victims had no choice but to go to Liaodong to try their luck.
In Guo Dajing's view, as long as the court continues to promote and encourage, immigration will continue one after another, and there will never be more than this large number of 20,000 to 30,000 people.
Another victory not only made the emperor happy, but also gave stronger encouragement to the people who wanted to immigrate to Liaodong.
Of course, this is also related to Guo Dajing's strategy of destroying the captives by knocking out the brown candies and boiling the frogs in warm water. As long as the rebels still occupy a vast territory beyond their capabilities, the tactics of criticizing the superiors and destroying the weak are the least risky.
Relying on one or two large-scale battles to establish victory was not what Guo Dajing wanted. The risks were high and there were many variables. Once it failed, several years of hard work would be in vain.