Chapter 21 When the cannon rings, the gold is ten thousand taels
When Cai Shusen arrived at the mouth of the river on a sampan, he saw Commander Liu angrily accepting the prisoners. He was so angry that he couldn't fire the guns, so he had to attack the prisoners.
Cai Shusen immediately conveyed Dong Shuheng's order to him, which diverted Liu Dahai's attention from the cannon shooting. Anyone who has been on the sea has heard the legend of pirate treasures, and today he wants to go see this water bandit.
How about the treasure?
Under the leadership of the prisoners, the navy quickly arrived at Qiaojiajian. There were not many water bandits left behind. Seeing that their bosses had all surrendered, they did not resist.
Liu Dahai easily occupied the water bandit's village. His wish to fire a shot was once again frustrated. He was originally planning to start another fire, but when he saw the water bandit's bank, his sullen anger was thrown out of the sky.
. He thought that with so much money, Dong Shuheng had to earn a few more ships for the navy. After using the ships, he could no longer look down on the original wooden ships.
Under the leadership of Xu Dexian, Lai Shancheng's dog-headed strategist, all the gold, silver and jewelry in Shuizhai were counted. A total of 530,000 taels of silver and 20,000 taels of gold were obtained. There were forty large boxes of jewelry and antiques. There were even fifty
Many boxes of books were scattered in the warehouse by the water bandits.
According to Xu Dexian, after the siege of Yangzhou, many large households transferred their wealth. They guarded various waterways and intercepted all the gold and silver transferred by waterways. Originally, Lai Shancheng was planning to donate a large part of the gold and silver to Zeng Lichang.
At this time, Zeng Lichang sealed all the officials.
Military Advisor Xu gave Liu Dahai the appointment document of the Taiping Army. It was true, I saw words such as "Lai Shancheng, Commander of the Yangzhou Navy of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom" written on the document.
"Commander Liu, this document is very important and must be sent to the chairman as soon as possible." Cai Shusen said. He heard the young master say that the meaning of suppressing water bandits is different from that of suppressing bandits. With this document, he can make a big fuss.
At this time, in Gaoyou City, a celebration banquet was being urgently prepared, and the venue was at Lanzhu Tower. Dong Shuheng was of course the protagonist today. In addition, Wei Yuan and officials from the Zhizhou Yamen were also present.
"Nephew Dong Xian, I want to thank you for saving my life today on behalf of Gaoyou." Mr. He stood up and said, bowing to Dong Shuheng. How could this make Dong Shuheng step over to help the old man and quickly said: "Shi
Uncle, I'm really a shame. I think that my Dong family has been selling salt for generations, and I am also a Yangzhou native. I, a Yangzhou native, should guard the Yangzhou elders."
"Brother Dong, you're right! The reason why we in Yangzhou have suffered so much since ancient times is because we are unable to protect ourselves. Bandits come to rob us, and the officers and soldiers fight back and rob us again. We are just meat and fish on the chopping board." Zeng Xianfeng in the crowd.
He said excitedly: "We in Yangzhou have been strong in culture and weak in military affairs since ancient times. Today, I see Brother Dong as a general. He is indeed a rare general since ancient times. I am not talented. I am willing to help General Dong with military affairs, regain Yangzhou, and protect my hometown."
All the squires were also excited by what Zeng Juren said. At this time, Dong Shuheng took a new look at Zeng Juren.
There is no shortage of talents in China. Think of Zeng Guofan who suppressed the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom for more than ten years. He used the relationship between teachers and students from his hometown to gather such a large group around him. This group finally almost occupied the southern officialdom and formed a powerful force that could compete with the Qing court.
The Han gentry group. So many people in later generations criticized Zeng Guofan for not overthrowing the Qing court. He already had that kind of strength at that time.
Many of the people in Zeng Guofan's group were rural gentlemen and local league leaders in Hunan. Most of them had never taken the imperial examination, but in the end many of these people became high-ranking officials in the late Qing Dynasty. The most famous one, Zuo Zongtang, was just a
Juren eventually became the governor of one party until he was knighted; Liu Rong was just a literary boy, and finally became the governor of Shaanxi; Liu Kun was just a scholar, and finally became the governor of Liangjiang; Liu Yuezhao became the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou as a literary boy. Among the people in this group
There are dozens of people who have risen from the ranks of regiment members to the rank of commander-in-chief. As the saying goes, heroes emerge from troubled times.
At this time, Zeng Guofan had just started in Hunan, and it was not going well. Although he was not as talented as him in learning, he still had advantages. At least he knew the general direction of history.
Now I have encountered the same problem as Zeng Guofan. I have to unite a group of people through hometown relationships, which greatly limits my future development. Zeng Guofan Group finally continued to develop this relationship, which paved the way for the group's final split.
The disintegration laid the foundation.
The same is true for me. Now is the initial stage of my career. If I can get the support of the local gentry, it will undoubtedly be even more powerful. As for the future, I at least know that this problem exists. When my strength reaches a certain level, I will naturally be able to find a solution.
Dong Shuheng does not have the aura of a protagonist, and he lets others bow to him. Suddenly someone is willing to follow him, so naturally he should cherish it and don't worry about this talent for now.
Dong Shuheng stepped forward and bowed and said: "Mr. Zeng, I am incompetent. If you are not abandoned, please be my guide in the future."
"My nephew, after this battle, my nephew will definitely be rewarded by everyone in the court. We, the Gaoyou gentry, are willing to fully support my nephew's development." Mr. He stood up and said. He was expressing his position on behalf of the Gaoyou gentry.
"Everyone, please listen to me. Your family wealth has been accumulated through hard work over generations. However, in today's troubled times, it is not easy to do business, and the roads are different in different places. I have an idea that can benefit everyone. It can also increase the family's wealth.
, benefit.”
"Oh⊙?⊙!" Everyone looked over in surprise.
"The kid plans to set up a joint-stock company. Everyone will pool their shares and enjoy dividends in proportion to their capital contribution. At the same time, as shareholders of the company, everyone can become a member of the board of directors and participate in the company's decision-making. This company will mainly invest in banks and industries."
"The form of joint stock has existed since ancient times. Foreigners call it a joint stock company." Mr. He interjected.
"Yes." Dong Shuheng continued: "The most profitable businesses at present are the salt industry in Yangzhou. When the Zi Chang Mao Rebellion came, the salt roads from Yangzhou to Anhui, Jiangxi, and Huguang were not smooth. If we gather people
If we buy foreign ships with funds, we don’t have to worry about long-haired wooden boats, and we can open up the salt road. Then we can integrate the entire salt industry in Yangzhou. In addition, tea, silk, tung oil, porcelain and other hot-selling commodities from foreigners can also pass through
We buy back our stable trade routes and sell them to foreigners. In addition, we can also do business with them." Dong Shuheng pointed to the southwest with his finger, and you must know how much gold and silver is gathered in that city now.
"The boy is familiar with foreign affairs, and there are some ways with foreigners. Our company can use foreign industrial equipment. Everyone knows that foreign cloth is cheaper than homespun cloth, because foreign cloth uses machine power and is extremely efficient. For example, if a steam engine is used for reeling silk, the efficiency is
It is dozens of times more expensive to make by hand, and the raw silk produced is one-third more expensive than native silk."
There were many knowledgeable people among the squire, and since Yangzhou was very close to Shanghai, they all had experience in dealing with foreigners. Therefore, Dong Shuheng's idea was quickly recognized by everyone.
"Nephew Dong Xian, since everyone agrees, you don't need to worry about the capital contribution. I will take care of this small matter." Mr. He on the side said, he took the initiative to take over the wrangling matters of various companies, also in order to show Dong Shuheng
court.
"Thank you so much, Uncle Shi!" Dong Shuheng said gratefully. Uncle He Shi helped him in everything, and he could feel it.
At this moment, footsteps were heard on the stairs.
"Report!"
It turned out that Cai Shusen was back. He whispered a few words in Dong Shuheng's ear. If it weren't for the more than 1 million taels from Dongtai, he would have screamed with excitement.
After finishing speaking, Cai Shusen handed Dong Shuheng a folded imperial edict. After reading it, Dong Shuheng smiled and handed it to Wei Yuan, who had not spoken much. After Wei Yuan read it, even though he was wily and calculating, he couldn't help but get excited.
He handed the imperial edict to Zeng Xianfeng again.
"Haha, congratulations to Lord Zhizhou, and congratulations to General Dong. You two will be greatly promoted soon."
He glanced at the confused eyes of the people around him and continued: "This is an appointment document from the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. It turns out that it is far-fetched for us to report the annihilation of the bandits this time. But with this document, we have actually eliminated five people."
Thousands of Taiping naval forces. This is an unprecedented victory for the imperial court since the war against the bandits. With the consistent practice of the imperial court, how could it not be publicized and rewarded heavily?"
Everyone nodded in agreement and looked happy. Through the company's share subscription just now, a group of people are almost tied together. It can be said that everyone is prosperous and everyone loses.
"Everyone, this great victory is not due to me alone. Everyone has contributed. I wonder if Mr. Zhizhou agrees." Dong Shuheng said and looked at Wei Yuan.
Wei Yuan nodded in agreement.
Dong Shuheng looked at Zeng Xianfeng again and said: "Zeng Gong is well versed in the rules of officialdom. I also asked Zeng Gong to draft a merit memorial on his behalf."
Zeng Xianfeng cupped his hands and said: "General, you're welcome. It's just that you have to consider which way this memorial should be reported. There are currently two lines, one is through the Imperial Envoy Qi Shan of Jiangbei Daying, and the other is through the Governor Yang Wending.
.look?"
Dong Shuheng frowned and glanced at Wei Yuan and said: "Although I don't like the bannermen either, Nanjing was lost and there has been no accountability yet. The most likely unlucky person is definitely Yang Wending. Qi Shan is a money-loving but timid person. We
This time I will give him some credit, help him keep his position as imperial envoy, and at the same time give him more money. I believe it will help us obtain greater benefits."
Dong Shuheng continued: "Mr. Zeng, the first credit for this memorial must be given to Qi Shan. The current court is still a Manchu court. They prefer to see the Manchus perform meritorious service. The second place is the Lord Zhizhou. The Lord Zhizhou has been an official in Yangzhou for many years.
He is a Jinshi and has sufficient qualifications. He should be able to get the position of Yangzhou magistrate this time, so that we will have a talker in Yangzhou in the future."
"Then the third place will definitely fall on the general. This time we will get a place for my Yangzhou soldiers." Zeng Xianfeng interjected.
"Exactly, at least we need to have a righteous name to recruit soldiers and surrender bandits in Jiangbei. So that we will not be afraid to expand our team in the future. Fourth, I think each family has some disciples who hold honors or serve at the grassroots level.
As an official, you can share some of the credit, and go one step further, after all, we are all our own people." Dong Shuheng continued.
"General, do you mean to control Yangzhou?"
Now that everyone is working on his own, Zeng Xianfeng has no scruples when speaking.
"No, I want the whole of Huai'an and Yangzhou!" Dong Shuheng raised his head and said, vaguely showing the aura of a warlord.
"Hiss..." Everyone took a breath of air. "This Dong Shuheng's ambition is very big." Everyone thought in their hearts.