At Shimen Lake, Anqing, at the garrison camp of the Marine Corps, a bureau-level tactical assessment is being conducted on the field, and various bugles are sounded.
President Qian's room was very quiet. Pang Yu sat behind the desk and watched several people in military uniforms walk into the room.
"Sir, the British and foreign envoys have brought you."
Pang Yu nodded encouragingly to Zhang Shuangwei, and then watched as the man behind him took off his military cap, revealing his tawny hair, and looked around with a pair of green eyes. The two guards in the room were stunned.
This was a British man from Macau. Pang Yu deliberately avoided Anqing Fucheng and asked him to dress up as a soldier and meet him at the military camp.
Zhang Shuangwei whispered, "This Yingyi envoy's surname is Wei, and his name is Willy. The person behind him is his interpreter."
Pang Yu ignored the interpreter and said in English from his seat, "Welcome to Anqing, Mr. Willy."
Everyone in the room stayed for a while. Although the guards did not dare to look directly at Pang Yu, they kept stealing glances. None of them expected that Pang Pang could actually speak English. It seemed that the legend of the Stick God was true.
Willy had obviously seen Pang Yu's handwritten letter, and was slightly surprised that Pang Yu could speak English. He quickly responded, "Nice to meet you, distinguished Mr. Pang, especially since you can also speak English, although your accent is a little bit..."
…
Like the Irish, I wonder where Mr. Pang learned it?"
Pang Yu did not signal him to sit down, but just smiled and said, "This is not important. Mr. Willy came to China from thousands of miles away for something more important."
"As you said, we are here for trade." Willy paused and added, "The Guttin Federation has received authorization from the king to trade with China. I can represent the king to discuss trade between the two countries."
"How is your trade deal in Guangzhou going?"
Willy coughed and said, "The officials in Guangzhou are unreasonable. They have no interest in trade, so I spent an extra two months to come to Anqing and negotiate with Mr. Pang as Captain Wedell's plenipotentiary representative." "The officials in Guangzhou are unreasonable.
Of course he is interested in trade, but he is only interested in trade with the Portuguese. I believe Mr. Willie should understand that the Portuguese and the Dutch control all China's trade goods and do not want the English to do so.
Appeared on the coast of China."
After Pang Yu finished speaking, he stretched out his hand. After Willy understood it, he bowed and sat down and said, "That's true. So what kind of help can Mr. Pang provide us?"
"Within ten years, I can give you free trade rights in and out of coastal ports to protect your navigation safety. I can also jointly set up a company with you to conduct maritime trade and distribute profits according to shares."
Willy stared at Pang Yu, "But this is too far from Guangzhou. How can Mr. Pang decide the trade rights of coastal ports? Your ships are all on the river, and how can you protect our navigation safety?"
"Because I have the most powerful army in this land." When Pang Yu said this, several cannon shots were heard from the arena outside, and shouts of killing were heard.
Pang Yu looked at Willy confidently. The ten years he mentioned were his own random estimates. The only thing he could be sure of was that Li Zicheng would conquer the capital. After the collapse of the central power of the Ming Dynasty, trade rights would be determined by new powers. "In front of Anqing
This big river passes through the land of China. Everything you need for trade is on this river. These are the goods you need, and I am about to control this most important waterway." Pang Yu stretched out a hand,
"In addition to goods, there are ports for trade. China's land is very vast, and ports are only a small part. However, the decision-making power of ports comes from the land, not the sea. Therefore, the right to trade does not lie with coastal officials, but with who
Control a wider land." Willy's eyes changed. He had seen the army on the field when he came, and it was indeed completely different from what he saw in the turrets of Guangzhou. Pang Yu's words were convincing, and he thought for a moment.
Said, "Pang Pang said that by then the Portuguese
Neither the Dutch nor the Dutch can enter the port to trade, only we can."
"Then it depends on what help you can provide me." Pang Yu lay comfortably on the backrest, "We are talking about business and what we pay attention to is fair trade."
"But Mr. Pang can't give us anything now."
"If Mr. Willy only looks in front of him, he will encounter the same thing as Guangzhou."
Willy pondered for a moment and then looked up at Pang Yu, "What kind of help does Mr. Pang need?" "Artillery, ships, muskets, mercenaries, everything related to war." Pang Yu paused, "Of course the most important thing is
It's money, whether it's Guertin's Union or the East India Company, or even your European banks, who's providing it to me?
These help will be rewarded accordingly.”
"As we know, your country not only has to deal with the Tatars in the north, but also faces internal rebellions, and we don't know Mr. Pang's army. How can we guarantee the risk of investment?" "If there is no risk, there will be no risk.
It's called investment. There is no business with higher returns than war. As far as I know, European banks provide loans to various countries, allowing them to recruit armies that far exceed their financial capabilities. In the end, the banks will also have huge gains. Welcome
Mr. Willy will stay in Anqing for a while to get to know my army and my enemies carefully to decide whether to invest. Of course, Mr. Willy can also return to Macau and seize the Portuguese fortress as his own.
But there are also huge risks, and you may not even be able to return home." Pang Yu stood up and said, "On the eastern sea, the Portuguese, Dutch, and Spaniards have all arrived one step earlier than you, and the pattern of interests has been determined. If you
To break this pattern, we must start where they have neglected. Ten years later, you will know that this investment is the way with the lowest cost and highest return, and it is also your only choice.
.”
...In Susong County, Xiong Wencan’s banner of Shangshu was flying outside the county government office. After one month after taking office, Mr. Xiong finally decided to inspect Anqing’s defense. He chose Susong, which is the key to Anqing, not only because of the importance of this place, but also because of the previous Susong.
Song Dajie
, has important symbolic significance.
After two days of walking on the road, Mr. Xiong needed to rest for half a day after arriving at the county seat. He would not go to Chema River until tomorrow. Since there were no policemen around, Pang Yu arranged the defense of the government office and went to the west gate to inspect the army camp.
This time, the accompanying escort was the 3000th Infantry Headquarters and the 1st Cavalry Division. By the way, they showed their strength to Lord Xiong. At this time, the army had already set down camp. The Chinese army raised several flags and sent the soldiers out to fetch water and feed their horses.
Pang Yu took a brief look at the camp gate. The soldiers came in and out in an orderly manner. No one was making any noise, so he did not enter the camp for detailed inspection.
"Master Gou, let's walk to the north."
Gou Tianqi, who was standing next to him, said politely, "I wish you the best."
Gouzhi County came to supply food and grass. This time, Xiong Wencan and Shi Kefa were traveling with them. Gouzhi County did not hesitate at all, and did not break the practice of setting up camp for one day before supplying food and grass. He happily sent two days' supply. Pang Yu led the guards.
After walking north for a while, white smoke filled the ruins on both sides of the official road, and some half-clothed people were scattered in the fields. These were prisoners captured during the Battle of Susong, and they began to be concentrated in the Erlang Town area.
As time went by, all the firewood nearby was exhausted, and food was sometimes not delivered in time. As the weather became colder and colder, some people dispersed to the vicinity of the county town and relied on these ruins to avoid the cold. Several large soup kitchens were formed outside the county town.
Pang Yu looked around and saw a dozen new graves in his field of vision, which should all belong to the refugees. Only one had a wooden sign in front of it, and the rest were just solitary graves. In the surrounding fields, someone was waving a hoe.
,
Pang Yu didn't understand crops, nor did he know what they were busy with in the winter. The two stopped at a soup kitchen. Two town soldiers were guarding it. A fire was burning under a dozen large pots, and there were some refugees nearby.
While carrying hay, there were many elderly refugees squatting or lying around the porridge shed waiting to receive porridge. When they saw officials leaning against
Those who approached quickly got up and hid.
The people giving porridge were from Caogang. When they saw Pang Yu, they immediately came over and knelt down. When the refugees heard that it was the Shangguan of the garrison camp, they knelt down and shouted to the two of them, "I will wait for you forever."
!" Pang Yu waved his hands habitually and walked to the nearest old man to help him to show his people-friendly style. The old man grabbed Pang Yu's sleeves with his dirty hands and said, "I am from Huguang and was captured by the bandits.
It's a loss if you catch them
My daily porridge and my grandson’s livelihood are all thanks to my kindness. Let him repay my kindness in the future.”
As he spoke, tears kept flowing on his face. Guo Fengyou and others next to him came over and pulled the old man away. When Pang Yu raised his head, he was surrounded by refugees kneeling and kowtow. Pang Yu bowed his hands to these people and retreated outside.
"Sir Gou, these refugees have been cultivating wasteland on their own. These lands have been abandoned not long ago. Let them take root. In the future, the people of Susong will still be able to pay money and food to the county government." Gou Zhixian replied calmly, "
General Pang knew clearly that it was not easy for these foreigners to settle down and take root. The land they opened now was not ownerless land, it was just abandoned. Regardless of whether the owner's family is still there or not, there will definitely be relatives in the future.
Friends are competing with each other, not to mention that these people were former bandits, and the struggle between locals and guests is even more fierce. With more than 10,000 people here, even though the garrison camp provides food, the subordinates are exhausted every day, and they are no easier than the generals."
Pang Yu knew that Gou Tianqi was a loach and would not settle the matter without suitable transaction conditions. He continued to say politely, "I also know that Mr. Gou is in trouble. The plan that Mr. Daotai decided to distribute among the counties has been delayed for so long.
, this matter will always fall on the two of you and me. I wonder if Su Song can take the lead in deciding the number of rations first, so that Taihu, Qianshan, and Tongcheng can handle it accordingly, so that you can be taken care of earlier.
My errand has been handed over."
Gou Tianqi sighed, "It turns out that the general stopped the food supply for the refugees a few days ago because he wanted to make arrangements for the distribution of food." Pang Yu smiled and said nothing. Now Xiong Wencan is going to Huguang soon, and he has to go with him. Before leaving, he needs to
After finishing all this, Gou Tianqi immediately reported the matter to Shi Kefa after stopping the food porridge distribution for the refugees in Susong a few days ago.
.
"The food in my hands is to supply the soldiers to defend Anqing. If it is supplied here, the soldiers will not have enough food and clothing."
Gou Tianqi said calmly, "But the place in Susong is already dilapidated. How can we support so many people?" Pang Yu knew that the matter could not be solved without giving benefits. After thinking about it, he said, "Since Susong wants to restart the city construction, it is just right.
To use people, you recruit people from the countryside to build the city. You also need money and resources in addition to food. To use these people, you only need to provide food.
Relief through work brings benefits to the people.”
Gou Tianqi said calmly, "It is not easy to restart the city construction. Most of the money used to build the city is still in Dajiang Bank."
Pang Yu didn't feel embarrassed, "After all, it's Su Song's money. It was originally the city's construction silver. Whenever Master Gou wants it, he will send it to him." Gou Tianqi rolled his eyes. In the past, this Pang Yu was firmly opposed to building the city for defense.
The camp rescue was used as a bargaining chip, and Shi Kefa had no choice but to delay the use of the city-building silver. Now he finally relented. In this struggle over the prisoners
, the invincible General Pang was defeated.
"The great people are sympathetic to the people, and the lower officials are reluctant to start the city construction work as soon as possible. The lower officials will take half of the city construction money first, and the rest will still be deposited in Dajiang Bank at the original interest rate."
"Last time, I proposed that the city should be slightly reduced and the fortress should be modified in Erlang Town. Can Mr. Gou be accommodating?"
Gou Tianqi shook his head repeatedly, "I don't want to, but I really can't. The money for building the city was donated by the gentry and people of the county. It was clearly used to build the county seat. It can only be used to build the county seat. It will be taken to Erlang Town to build the fort. The lower official will not be able to explain it at that time."
Pang Yu whispered, "I mean, no matter where it is built, it is to protect Susong. The garrison camp will set up a fort in Erlang Town and send people to garrison it. You just need to repair the fort wall. As long as Erlang Town is not broken, Susong will not be destroyed."
It was broken, but the left side was saved
Being close to the countryside can be said to kill two birds with one stone." "Shi Daotai gave Xiaguan a clear order to complete the construction of Susong County within two years. He did not mention other places. General Pang wanted to build a fort in Erlang Town, and Xiaguan had no choice but to build the city.
The money can only be used in the county town. If you want to build other places, the general still has to
Let's make an agreement with Shi Daotai first, and then we can do things easily after I get down." Pang Yu felt annoyed, but he didn't know what to say. After the battle in Susong, Gou Tianqi agreed to build a fort in Erlang Town, but he had not decided who would build it.
, he would not go to Xiong Wencan for a village wall, nor did he want to go to Shi Kefa, because
Shi Daotai probably let him and Gou Tianqi discuss it on their own, but in the end nothing came of it.
He didn't want to waste time with this official, so he said to him directly, "Let's not talk about Erlang Town for now. There are still more than 10,000 people at the moment. How many refugees will Master Gou need to support if he wants to build the city?"
"Two thousand people, two years."
"Two thousand people can't do it, and four thousand people can't do it regardless of age."
Just after finishing speaking, Gou Tianqi shook his head again, and Pang Yu said coldly, "Then Master Gou will keep all these fourteen thousand people. Tomorrow the Japanese officials will run out of food. Let's see who they ask for porridge."
Gou Tianqi's face changed slightly, and he turned around with a smile on his face, "This county is really poor and the people are poor. If General Pang's 4,000 people were to be followed, the rural soldiers would only have 3,000 taels of food per year..."
"If the money and food for the rural soldiers are provided by my own officer, then don't bother with the orders of the rural soldiers."
"I will never ask anything about it." Pang Yu nodded. This Gou Tianqi was not holding back. He wanted to finalize this place first before talking to other counties. "When Yang Zhuoran and the others arrive tomorrow, I will raise this matter with Shidaotai.
Please also ask Mr. Gou to work together to promote the separation and nourishment.
"
"I will definitely help you with all my strength." Gou Tianqi politely bowed his hands and returned to the city with his entourage.
He Xianya, who was behind him, came to Pang Yu's side. Pang Yu took a deep breath and said, "Tomorrow, as long as Gou Tianqi nods and the Zhu family prime minister beats the drum, Yang Erming won't stand up, Yang Zhuoran will be unable to support himself, and the matter of sharing will be settled."
He Xianya looked at Gou Tianqi walking away and shook his head and said, "My lord, we defeated dozens of bandits in Susong and fled, but there is nothing we can do about the magistrate who is hiding on the lake."
"These civil servants are much more difficult to deal with than the Eight Thieves. Before we go to suppress the thieves with Lord Xiong, we must first settle these matters." Pang Yu laughed and said, "Compared with Gou Tianqi and the others, I would rather fight with Lord Xiong and Willy.
"Dealing." He Xianya knew that what Pang Yu was referring to actually included officials such as Shi Kefa and Zhang Guowei, who were also difficult to deal with. He didn't point it out at the moment, and then continued, "Master Xiong's residence is definitely in Xiangyang. I heard what the friend said,
My soldiers are urging you very urgently. I want Master Xiong to take up his post as soon as possible, and we will set a period for the extermination of the bandits starting from December."
"Have Master Xiong formulated any countermeasures so that we can prepare early?"
"It seems that they want to appease them. They have sent people to Huguang to ask Yu Yinggui to find someone to contact the eight thieves. My lord, if the eight thieves have done all their bad things, if they can still be appeased in peace, wouldn't they be sorry for the countless people who died."
Pang Yu smiled confidently and shook his head and said, "Master Xiong's appeasement is just a differentiation strategy. If you talk about appeasement in such empty words, the eight thieves will definitely not believe him. The most important thing is that the emperor and my soldiers have set up a ten-faced net with special purpose.
The purpose of collecting wages is to suppress thieves. With such a big posture and such great efforts, the eight thieves can just say surrender and be safe? How can there be such a good thing in the world? The eight thieves think that the emperor is so
It’s so fooling, so don’t worry, this move will definitely not work.”