Chapter 231 The real negotiation is under the table
Chapter 231 The real negotiation is under the table
On February 18, representatives from Beihai Town and the Manchu Qing Dynasty began to handle the handover of prisoners at the military station on the north bank of the Mongolian River.
Beihai Town first submitted the roster of the first batch of two thousand people, which was checked by representatives of the Qing army. After the Qing army completed the check and confirmed that it was correct, they lit torches to notify the Mongolian camp south of the river and transported the first ransom across the river.
The next step for Beihai Town is to test whether the ransom given by the Qing army is real gold. In order to ensure that the gold will not be stolen by Beihai Town, the Qing army sent a pen post type and a military attache to supervise.
The pen-poster looked to be in his fifties. When he took off his hat to wipe his sweat, Zhao Xin noticed that the hair on the back of his head was very sparse. As for the military attache, he was a co-leader of the Jianrui Battalion.
The first step in testing is to take a sample from the gold ingot to check the appearance. Because the higher the purity, the darker the color.
The gold ingots of the Qing Dynasty were not gold ingots, but rectangular ship-shaped. Due to the unique ductility of gold, the surface would appear curved due to tension, so ancient gold ingots were not square.
It should be noted that whether it was the Qing Dynasty or the previous Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties, gold and silver ingots were never made by the government, but were cast by the private sector and supervised by the government. Because gold ingots are relatively precious, companies generally do not dare to tamper with gold ingots.
, guaranteed to be of sufficient weight and color.
The government only controls the casting of copper coins, so there are only copper coins in the treasury of the Ministry of Household Affairs, which are "big money for the town treasury"; there are no official gold and silver ingots for the town treasury, let alone gold ingots from the Qing Dynasty.
A fabrication that spreads lies.
This batch of gold shipped from the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Beijing is all twelve standard gold ingots. On the front, there are "red gold" stamps on the left and right sides, and in the middle is the stamp of the silver number responsible for the casting.
The second step is to weigh the gold ingots. An electronic scale, a large beaker filled with half a cup of water, a string, and a calculator are all the testing tools. First, weigh the gold ingots and record the data.
; The next step is to place the beaker filled with water on the scale to clear it; then tie the gold ingot with a string and suspend it into the water in the beaker, and record the data again after it stabilizes; the last step is to calculate, divide the gold weight by the drainage weight and then divide
Using the gold standard density (19.32), the decimal obtained is the gold content.
Because the density of gold is very different from the density of lead, if the other party uses lead blocks to paint gold paint and fakes it, it can be quickly detected through this method.
There is no need for Zhao Xin to do this kind of work. Several people from the civil affairs department are now proficient in using electronic scales and calculators. After sampling testing, the final gold content of more than a dozen gold ingots was basically around 0.95.
Bi Tie Shi, who was in charge of supervision, blinked as he looked at Beihai Town's operations and couldn't understand them at all. Whether it was an electronic scale or a calculator, he was extremely shocked. This is much easier to use than weights and abacus!
He bowed his hands to Zhao Xin and said, "May I ask, sir, how much does it cost to buy these two things?"
Zhao Xin joked: "A calculator costs fifty taels of silver. As long as there is light, this thing can be used forever. As for this scale, it can weigh silk. You can't use it without electricity."
The post said in surprise: "Electricity? You mean the thunder and lightning in the sky?"
The military attache on the side sneered, a bunch of monsters!
"Yeah, a lot of things can't be used without electricity."
"Then how can I use the thunder and lightning from the sky for this?"
"Well, the truth behind this is very complicated, and even if you explain it, you wouldn't understand it."
The post said in his mind that if this thing could really be used to induce thunder and lightning, even if you gave it to me for free, I wouldn’t dare to use it! In his heart, people like Zhao Xin have become monsters who use sorcery!
When Wang Yuanfang saw the test results, he said to Zhao Xin: "The gold content of this gold is only 95%!"
"Okay, don't worry about it, that's what gold is like these days. Haven't you heard of 'seven greens, eight yellows, ninety-five reds'?"
The ancient red gold was at this level, and the gold content of the gold ingots from the Ministry of Internal Affairs was much stronger than the small gold from the shogunate next door. But what Zhao Xin didn't know was that in the history of gold smelting in China, there was a breakthrough development during the Qianlong period. For the first time
Ninety-nine percent of the red gold was refined, and these ninety-nine percent of the red gold was later used by Qianlong to make top-grade gold objects.
After the ransom was verified to be correct, Beihai Town began to release people in groups of 100 people one by one. After both parties confirmed their signatures on the inventory, every 100 people were led across the river by representatives of the Qing army.
By February 19th, the number of prisoners returned had expanded to 5,000, and Beihai Town dispatched three battalions to escort them all the way. Under Heshen's instruction, the Manchus and the Qing Dynasty did not care who were border residents or not, as long as they were listed on the list
Everything counts.
On the fifth day, there were only more than 200 prisoners left in the last batch. These people included Fukang'an, Duerjia, and the 97 Eight Banners soldiers and family-born slaves captured by Beihai Town in the battle the year before; the man who swore to die
Li Dagang, who refused to surrender and had escaped from prison many times, and worked as a miner for several months, was also among them.
As for the twelve armored soldiers led by Samusu that Zhao Xin and the others captured on Bear Island, there is no need to go back. Beihai Town had already taken their families back to Fuldan City after they captured Hunchun City.
In addition, there are more than two hundred Han Chinese. Most of them have joined the military and political system of Beihai Town like Zhang Fang or Zhou Monk, and some will be transported to Ezo Land to take charge there.
livestock and reclamation work.
In addition to returning the living prisoners this time, Beihai Town also had to deal with the corpses of the dead. After last year's battle, Beihai Town buried all the corpses of the Qing soldiers under a hill on the south bank of the Suifen River. Because of the cold weather, the Qing Dynasty
The army did not dig up the grave and take away the body this time, but agreed to send people to collect the bones after the ground thawed in the spring.
Just as Fukang'an and the others were preparing to cross the river, a guard suddenly came to Zhao Xin.
"Chief, they have someone who wants to see you."
"who?"
"It's the clerk responsible for verifying the gold."
When Zhao Xin, accompanied by several guards, saw the post-writing style, the other party took off his hat and said to Zhao Xin with a smile: "Master Zhao is true to his word! Then let's talk about what happens next."
Zhao Xin looked at him strangely and asked: "Who is your Excellency?"
The man cupped his hands and said with a smile: "My surname is Liu, which is a full name."
When Fukang'an returned to the Qing army camp and saw He Shen who had been waiting for him for many days, he felt a mixture of sourness, gratitude and shame.
He had never looked squarely at the person in front of him, even if he was in charge of the court's purse. He, Fukang'an, wanted to send troops to fight, and no matter who was in charge of the household department, he had to raise his military expenses.
In Fukang'an's eyes, a guy who relies on flattering Qianlong also wants to have friendship with him? What a joke! But now.
Fukangan straightened the sleeves of his robe, raised his arms from bottom to top, and bowed to He Shen.
"To Brother Zhai, thank you for your kindness! I, Fu Kang'an, will remember it!"
"Brother Yaolin, you can't do it! You can't do it! You are trying to make me die of shame!" He Shen was startled, and then a trace of lust flashed in his eyes. He quickly stepped forward and stretched out his hands to support him. "
Thanks to the blessing of the Holy Emperor, brother Yaolin is returning to the sea today, so happy and congratulations!"
Fukang'an looked pale and said with a wry smile: "Brother Zhizhai, the defeated general, please don't laugh at me."
At this time, a banquet had been set up in the tent. He Shen asked Fu Kangan to take a seat and said, "Brother Yaolin, where did you say this? To be honest, the emperor sent a secret edict to ask about my brother's situation every time.
I must rescue him as soon as possible. Now that Brother Yaolin is unharmed, he is really lucky! Before coming, I had already visited the old lady at her house. Someone and I swore to the old lady that Yaolin must be rescued.
Brother Lin must take it all back with him tail-to-tail."
When Fukang'an heard that the other party mentioned Qianlong and his mother, he quickly stood up and faced south. He knelt down and kowtowed with tears streaming down his face: "I, Fukang'an, am ashamed of your Majesty! You are truly an unfaithful and unfilial person!"
He Shen quickly helped him up, sat down and continued: "For me, taking Brother Yaolin and the soldiers back this time is just one of them. In the past few days, I have also seen the Zhao thief's military strength with my own eyes.
When I return to Beijing to meet the Holy Spirit, the Emperor will definitely ask questions. Don't worry, brother, I will give the master a note later and explain the situation of Zhao Thief clearly. However, I wonder how much I know about the internal situation of Zhao Thief?"
Fukang'an picked up the wine glass in front of him and drank it all in one gulp, choking and coughing. "I've seen a few of them over the past few months. I think Zhao Xin is very cunning! To be honest, after talking to him several times,
, I suddenly understood why he wanted to occupy Jilin. This person is learning from the practices of my great ancestor Taizong of the Qing Dynasty, and he is actually a serious problem for the imperial court!"
He Shen was stunned and asked hurriedly: "You mean, he imitated my imperial ancestor Taizong?"
"Yes! Occupying the scenic spot outside Guan, using force as the backing, assimilating the border people of various tribes in the name of Zhu Ming, integrating military and civil affairs. I have seen the muskets used by Zhao's army several times. No matter the material or appearance, they are all of my own.
I have never seen it in my life. You can fire a gun by raising your hand, and you can fire continuously without filling the gun."
He Shen asked hurriedly: "What about the cannon?"
Fukang'an shook his head and said: "I have been imprisoned in the city. I can only stand at the door for a while every day to bask in the sun. I have never seen a cannon."
He Shen sighed: "I'm so sorry for Brother Yaolin!"
The two talked for a while again. Seeing that Fu Kangan looked tired, He Shen ordered his men to clear out his residence for Fu Kangan to rest. Fu Kangan refused to say anything at first, but He Shen
His stature was very low, and after being respectful and humble, Fukang'an couldn't find any excuses.
After sending Fukang'an away, He Shen ordered his people to remove all the food and wine, and he leaned on the back of his chair and closed his eyes to rest. After working hard for several months, he finally completed the errands assigned by Qianlong. The foreman, the Minister of Military Aircraft,
His seat was finally secured. Thinking of this, He Shen couldn't help but feel very proud.
At this moment, the curtain flickered, and Liu Quan, who had just changed into a pen-and-stick style, walked in.
"Master, I've asked everything clearly!"
"Oh, tell me quickly."
"The thing used for settling accounts is fifty taels each. It is said that it can be used if there is light. As for the scale, Zhao Thief said that it can only be used by attracting thunder and lightning from the sky. Tell me, isn't this a witchcraft?"
"What nonsense! When we went to Shandong to investigate the Cathay case, we met a few demons from the Qingshui Sect. They all said they knew some magic, but as soon as the big shackles were put on and the pipa bones were pierced, they couldn't use any magic.
Come out! Liu Quan, you said that you are also traveling around, why do you still believe such a thing? How was the discussion over there? "
Liu Quan came over and whispered in his ear: "Sir, I told them about the landing on Flower and Bird Island and Guangzhou as you told them, and they all agreed. On April 20th, they sent the cargo to Flower and Bird Island.
, they will go to Guangzhou after unloading the goods."
He Shen thought for a while and then said: "Guangzhou has to make an agreement with Mu Teng'e (Guangdong Customs Supervisor), and also send a letter to Cai Shiwen (one of the thirteen lines). You tell them that the ship must stop at
It is not allowed to enter the port from overseas; if you want to land, you must go through Cai Shiwen's ship. In addition, no more than ten people can land, and they can only live in Yiguan District. If anything happens, he is the only one to ask! I will leave this matter to you.
Already."
"嗻!"
That night, Liu Quan, as the representative of Heshen, quietly went to the north bank of the Mongolian River. As a result, before Liu Quan saw Zhao Xin this time, he saw another strange object, an LED light bulb.
"Mr. Zhao, what is this? Can it make the room as bright as day?"
"Electric light." Zhao Xin specially emphasized the word "electricity".
When Liu Quan heard this, he thought, forget it, this is a witchcraft! Thinking of this, he relayed He Shen's instructions and asked Zhao Xin to provide a list of goods for early arrangement.
Zhao Xin immediately took out the list of goods that had been prepared. Liu Quan took a closer look and saw that there were dozens of categories of goods, covering everything from food, clothing, housing and transportation. What caught his eye the most were matches and large-format items.
In addition to glass, there are calculators, glassware, enamelware, various fabrics, clothing, shoes and socks, clocks, pearls, animal skins, razors, etc.
Liu Quan pointed at the pearl item and said, "This is not possible. Dongzhu cannot be included in the transaction."
Zhao Xin smiled and said: "Steward Liu misunderstood, this is not a Dongzhu, it is a freshwater pearl from the Ainu country. The Dongzhu you gave me before is far from this one." After speaking,
He took out a bracelet made of cultured pearls from his pocket.
"Just think of it as a meeting gift, Mr. Liu."
This is a purple perfect round pearl bracelet that Zhao Xin bought from another time and space. Each pearl is 12 mm in diameter. A single bead is worth several hundred yuan. There are 19 beads in each string, which reflect under the light.
Breathtaking light!
Liu Quan was stunned when he saw the pearl bracelet, and blood rushed to his head. This is a priceless treasure!
"You guys, will this be what you sell to Guangzhou in the future?" Liu Quan's voice was trembling as he spoke.
"How is that possible! These are only one of a kind. The ones sold in Guangzhou are all white. They are only half the size, but they are all the same round shape."
"That's good, that's good. To be honest, the rare goods purchased from the Thirteenth Bank must be sent directly to the Ministry of Internal Affairs through Guangdong Customs."
"Understand, understand."
The so-called Guangdong Customs was actually Qianlong's private treasury, and all relevant taxes were turned over to the Ministry of Internal Affairs; imported goods of good quality were also sent directly to Da Nei, and ordinary people had no chance to see them.
"What about you? You just want money?"
"Mr. Liu, of course silver is a good thing, but other things such as tea and silk are also fine, but you'd better help me get some antique calligraphy and paintings when the time comes."
When Liu Quan heard this, he thought it was too simple! He heard Zhao Xin say again: "However, only ten people can log in, which is not good. At least forty people are required!"
"Forty people!" Liu Quan was stunned upon hearing this. "May I ask Mr. Zhao, who are these forty people? Sailors?"
"How could he be a sailor? He is a member of the trade group. Accountant, business representative, public relations, marketing planning, legal affairs, security."
Zhao Xin was making nonsense, and Liu Quan blinked when he heard it. Except for the accountant and the security guard, whom he knew were accountants and bodyguards, he didn't understand anything else!
"Wait a minute, Mr. Zhao, what are you talking about?"
"Mr. Liu doesn't know something. We in Beihai Town have a detailed division of labor and each has his own specialty."
Zhao Xin's nonsense not only made him thirsty, but also made Liu Quan completely faint. For Zhao Xin, as long as he can get a platoon of people ashore, even if he talks about Beihai to Liu Quan
There is also an IT department in the town, and he can tell you everything.
An intelligence station will be built in Guangzhou in the future. By then, Liu Zheng will be in the densely populated Yiguan District. If there are not enough manpower, safety will not be guaranteed.
Liu Quan was overshadowed by what Zhao Xin said, so he finally agreed. Anyway, there was a governor's battalion guarding the gate outside the Yiguan District of Guangzhou. Forty people were under heavy guard, so I guess he couldn't do anything.
He finally agreed with Zhao Xin that on July 20, the two parties would meet at Flower and Bird Island; then Liu Quanhui sent someone to accompany him south to be responsible for contacting him about landing in Guangzhou.
On February 24, the Qing army on the south bank of the Mongolian River began to break camp and move south, and Zhao Xin also led his troops back to the city with Huang Jin.
At this point, a war that lasted nearly a year from the beginning to the end finally came to an end. After this battle, the Manchu Qing court lost money and was embarrassed, and began to regard Beihai Town as a serious problem.
However, because the severe drought that started last year has spread to Zhejiang, Jiangxi and other places, even the water level of West Lake in Hangzhou has dropped by half. The Qing government, unwilling to give up, could only deal with the disasters in various places first, and Beihai Town also faced