Zhu Biao and Zhu Yuanzhang stood together in front of Humen Beach.
In front of them were two huge ponds that had just been dug, with pedals placed on them. At this moment, people were dumping boxes after boxes of opium into them and destroying them with slaked lime.
The whole process was exactly the same as Lin Zexu's process of destroying cigarettes in Humen twelve years ago.
Even the location is the same.
A total of 2,376,254 kilograms of opium were destroyed that year, which shocked the whole of Guangdong and even the whole of China.
But at the same time, this incident also became the trigger of the Opium War. The British Empire took the opportunity to start the Opium War. From this time on, the door of ancient China began to be opened and plundered by the great powers.
Today, twelve years later, Zhu Yuanzhang used the opium trafficking incident of the Cheng family in Guangzhou City as an excuse to launch an anti-smoking campaign again in the entire Guangzhou Prefecture and even the entire Guangdong.
Taking this incident as an opportunity, they went on a killing spree for more than half a year, killing hundreds of people throughout Guangdong, and 80,000 people lost their lives.
At the same time, more than 30,000 boxes of opium were seized from all over Guangdong, which was almost double the amount when Lin Zexu destroyed opium in Humen.
Obviously, twelve years have passed and the opium trade in Guangdong has become more unscrupulous than it was twelve years ago.
"General, I don't care whose interests you represent behind your back, but do you understand the consequences of doing so?"
"My British Empire's invincible fleet will come to Guangzhou again and tear you apart. Aren't you afraid?" Grover, a British opium merchant who was captured from the sea by Zhu Yuanzhang.\nDecker looked at Zhu Yuanzhang with a look of fear.
, roaring loudly.
Behind Zhu Yuanzhang, the folks near Humen looked at the British man in shock and anger.
They were shocked because they were afraid. They had experienced the power of foreign firearms countless times in the past ten years, and they had paid countless lives for it.
It can be said that the city of Guangzhou has not been conquered by foreigners to this day, because the people of Guangzhou have exerted great efforts.
Ten percent of the strength was used to deal with the foreigners, and two percent of the strength was used to deal with the Qing court that was lagging behind.
What made him angry was that he was afraid that the commander-in-chief, who had just been in charge of Guangzhou City for half a year, would be frightened by the British and would not dare to destroy the opium.
They witnessed Zhu Yuanzhang's decisive killing for half a year, and personally felt that life was indeed getting better.
Starting from the Cheng family, Zhu Yuanzhang plowed almost the entire Guangzhou Prefecture and even Guangdong.
Countless unjust cases have been overturned, and countless domineering scoundrels, gangsters, squires, and bullies have been punished.
For such a good official, they hope that he can stay in Guangzhou forever and that he can protect the people of Guangdong forever.
They did not want Zhu Yuanzhang, who was almost flawless in their hearts, to be intimidated by British foreigners, nor did they want such a good official to be defeated by British spears and cannons.
"Commander, kill him!"
"Kill him, and we'll help you fight the foreigners!"
"We have 20 million people in Guangdong, and even one spittle can drown them all!" Suddenly someone in the crowd shouted.
"Yes, kill him, ban opium, and fight foreigners."
"Kill him, ban opium, and fight foreigners!"
At first it was just one person shouting, but gradually the sound formed a wave and resounded in all directions.
Zhu Biao couldn't help but sigh again as he listened to the rising voices of the people.
In just half a year, Zhu Yuanzhang won the support of the entire Guangzhou people from the gentry, and he actually didn't do much. He just beheaded the opium smugglers and retried the original unjust and wrong cases.
Once again, just bring those criminals who have escaped justice to justice again.
The price he paid for this was to suppress 13 rebellions in Guangzhou City, 26 rebellions in Guangzhou Prefecture, and 88 rebellions in Guangdong.
Annihilated six attacks by surrounding Qing troops and the Eight Banners garrison.
There was even harassment from a British guy from Hong Kong.
For such a simple thing, it can be said that he just did everything an official should do, and he was revered like a god by the people of Guangzhou Prefecture.
Sometimes Zhu Biao even feels that he can do it if it were him...
"Did you hear that?"
"This is the will of the people!"
"And the last thing I want to disobey is the people!" Zhu Yuanzhang took out the saber from his waist and walked step by step in front of the British man.
"General, I have money, and I am willing to use the money to redeem my life!" Grover.\nDecker shouted with a look of horror.
"Haha, go to the underworld and spend your money!" Zhu Yuanzhang did not hesitate at all. The sword flashed and he chopped off the guy's head directly, and then kicked him into the non-smoking pool filled with slaked lime.
Countless cheers rang out around him, and some even started shouting "Long live Emperor Hongwu."
It can be said that opium, which has poisoned Guangzhou for hundreds of years, is deeply hated by all the people, and no one is willing to see these things destroyed.
Except for the addicts.
At this point, Zhu Yuanzhang's reputation among the people has reached a new level. After five hundred years, the name of Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, which was almost forgotten by everyone, is once again remembered and praised by the people of Guangzhou.
"You... are so rude!" Lionel, an American businessman who was also watching the anti-smoking campaign not far away, shook his head with fear on his face.
"What do you mean?" Zhu Biao said with a smile.
"Beheading like this will cause blood to spill out. The correct thing to do is to let the criminal go to the gallows. Even if he dies, the criminal should have a dignified death."
"This is the basic quality a gentleman should have." Lionel said.
"hypocritical!"
"Go over there and talk to the people!" Zhu Biao pointed to the excited people in the distance who were shouting long live the mountains.
"Uh... forget it then!"
"I am a businessman and I don't want to interfere in other countries' internal affairs!"
"Let's talk about the rifles, cannons, and the production line for producing firearms that you want to buy!" Lionel said with a flash of excitement in his eyes.
“The price you gave is too expensive!”
"It seems that the Germans are not sincere. I think it would be better for me to talk to the Dutch again!" Zhu Biao said calmly.
"How is that possible? These are the latest models of guns. I guarantee you can block the next British attack!" Lionel shouted while dancing.
"We also give you the most exquisite porcelain and the most beautiful silk!"
“The best tea!”
"So, the price must be reduced by half!"
"If this business is successful, you will gain my friendship, and I guarantee that you will only earn more in the future."
Lionel's eyes flashed, and his heart was calculating wildly.
As for whether doing this would cause trouble to the British, that was naturally not within his scope of consideration.
He soon made a decision, gritted his teeth and said: "70%, I will agree to 70%."
"Okay, deal!"
"But I have additional conditions. You must bring ten production line engineers and ten gunpowder experts."
Zhu Biao smiled and stretched out his hand.
"No problem!" Lionel shook hands with Zhu Biao excitedly.
There are not too many people like this in Europe.