It was already the sixth day that Degenie came to Baghdad. Apart from meeting the highest local official on the third day, Mr. Deng Fei, who can speak fluent French, all he could do after that was wait and watch the guards.
Accompanied by the tour guide, we visited inside and outside Bacheng.
De Guigne was actually not optimistic about this transaction, mainly because all the chips Governor Leclerc could bring out were only 200,000 Spanish double-column silver coins. Leclerc told De Guigne in the letter that this was already a French capital.
The entire wealth of the Indian company is gone.
Beihai Town, this new regime established by a group of eccentric Chinese, is mysterious and unpredictable in the eyes of all Westerners in East Asia. It is always shrouded in a veil. Even the British and French who have had contact with it
Even Tsarist Russia actually uses a tube to see a leopard.
When Zhao Xin made a big fuss about the Thirteenth Line and caused chaos in the city of Guangzhou, it happened to be winter and businessmen from all over the world returned to Macau. When the merchants returned to Guangzhou in May of the next year, they found that the White Bear Line had already left.
The house was empty. Although the foreign merchants repeatedly asked Thirteen Businessmen what had happened, everyone, including the servants, remained silent.
It was not until a year later that the foreign businessmen vaguely learned that the people from the White Bear Company had made a riot in Guangzhou City and had a fierce exchange of fire with the local garrison. The whole process was described as if it were a fantasy, and everyone who heard it was shocked.
The "Travel Notes of Seris" written by Count Laperouse after visiting Beihai Town only described Beihai Town's wealth and various incredible technologies, but he did not know much about Beihai Town's industrial strength and military strength, so
It's all guesswork.
It was not until Peter, Philippe Vannier, Pimanuel and others reported what Deng Fei and the others had done in Annan back to local governance that the French had a new understanding of the overall strength of Beihai Town.
We know that even Britain, which was the most industrialized country at this time, could not build iron ships or incredibly powerful rapid-fire cannons, let alone the powerful infantry weapons in Beihai Town.
Governor Leclerc spent all his money to make friends with Beihai Town. His purpose was not only to save the Bourbon dynasty from crisis, but also to cooperate with Beihai Town to fight against the British East India Company.
Throughout the major wars in Europe in the 18th century, such as the War of Spanish Succession, the War of Austrian Succession, the Seven Years' War between England and France, and the American War of Independence, France has always been against the United Kingdom; as a result, the French were in Southeast Asia
It was repeatedly dealt with by the British, which seriously affected trade with China and caused heavy losses.
For example, in 1745, during the War of Austrian Succession, three ships, the "Garson", the "Crown Prince" and the "Hercules", which were trading with China, were all captured by the British in the Bangka Strait. In the following four years,
There are no ships going to China.
During the Seven Years' War, war between Britain and France also broke out in India. As a result, the French lost control of Hyderabad and even local governance. After the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1763, although the British returned the local
In Zhili and other places, according to the requirements of the agreement, the French side cannot set up defenses and stop all military activities; of course this is impossible.
Later, during the American Revolutionary War, the second war broke out between the Kingdom of Mysore and Britain supported by the French. The "Modest", "Friend" and "Duggs Crane" went to Guangzhou for trade again
Captured by the British, the Guangzhou Consulate was forced to rent out the unused French commercial building to the Imperial Trieste Company and Swedish or Danish businessmen.
When news of the French Revolution spread back to local governance, Governor Leclerc immediately realized that as tensions in Europe intensified, Britain and France were likely to use force again.
It is said that the fortifications of Pondicherry are very strong and were designed by Governor Leclerc himself. However, the problem is that it is adjacent to the sea and the number of garrison troops is too small. There are less than 2,000 soldiers in the city, including only more than 600 French soldiers. Once
In the event of a siege, it would be impossible to effectively defend the city wall. Coupled with the British blockade from the sea, local governance would be isolated and helpless.
In another history of time and space, the British did this. From the launch of the siege and artillery attack to the French surrender, it only took one day.
Degene originally thought that even if the Seris people had large, fast iron ships, it would still take several months, including back-and-forth correspondence and discussions on such an important matter as whether to agree to send troops. Who knew that he was bored out of his mind?
When he was observing the situation at the port with a telescope, Deng Fei sent someone to invite him, and then Degene followed the guards to the former Governor's Palace in Bacheng.
"Dear Governor, what can I do for you?" De Guigne made a French bow to Deng Fei, and the hat in his hand was dazzled by his dancing.
"Mr. Deguigne, you can go back and tell Governor Leclerc tomorrow that Beihai Town has agreed to provide support to you, including but not limited to ships and military personnel. Our request is that the Governor should come in person. Of course we will go
Local governance is also possible, and you and I need to formally sign an agreement."
"Your Majesty the Governor, this, this," said Deguigne with an expression of disbelief on his face. He did not expect that his first mission as a diplomatic envoy would go so smoothly. "Please forgive me! Your news really surprised me!
"
When Deng Fei saw this, he immediately asked his attendant to pour half a glass of rum and handed it to him. After Degeine drank it in a big gulp, his excitement calmed down a bit. He then said excitedly: "Your Excellency, then I will do it tomorrow.
Go back and report to the governor. Please rest assured, we will send someone soon."
Soon? Deng Feixin said that according to the current speed of the sailboat, it would take two months at the earliest.
For Beihai Town, going to Europe is a big event. The composition of the entourage, the deployment of ships, troops and supplies, etc. all require time to prepare. Moreover, the Thor must return to Beihai Town to conduct an inspection on the hull and internal equipment.
Complete overhaul.
But even so, Deng Fei still had no idea. You must know that in these days, the only way to go from Asia to Europe is through the East African route, and the most dangerous area along the way is the Cape of Good Hope; the special category 11 winds in the westerly belt are extremely terrifying, reaching as high as
Swells of one to twenty meters make sea navigation extremely difficult.
Not to mention the age of sails, even in the modern era of another time and space, it is not uncommon for 10,000-ton ships to crash in the Cape of Good Hope area. In these years, there were neither weather forecasts nor satellite cloud maps. All Deng Fei could rely on was another time and space.
It's just a regional chart. In his opinion, on the way to Europe, at least Zhao Xin must be escorted on the African route.
In addition, if you go to Europe, you can't just go with a Thor, but at least send a sail gunboat to accompany it. As a result, Bacheng needs to add new gunboats. The reason why the Dutch have kept quiet these past few months
Being so honest, I was mainly afraid of the Thor outside the port and the artillery on Beihai 1.
Thus began a large-scale preparation of military personnel and materials, which lasted for five months. According to Zhao Xin's arrangement, considering that the special operations battalion had already adapted to maritime navigation, it was planned to
Let them all go to Europe on the ship.
As a result, the local garrison strength was reduced to only one company of the Marine Battalion, which was definitely not going to work! So, following Deng Fei's order, the Fujian immigrants who had just disembarked for a day did not know that their fate would change accordingly.
changes.
"I say it again! Everyone! No matter how thirsty you are, you must not drink raw water! It must be boiled before you can drink it..."
In a large shed near the port that is ventilated from all sides, Jiang Asheng, who serves as the clerk of the Bach City Municipal Management Committee, is lecturing the new immigrants at the top of his lungs. When he saw that everyone below had a look of disapproval, he emphasized his tone and continued
Said: "I know you didn't take my words seriously! But what I want to say is that miasma is no joke! If you get miasma yourself, you will infect all your brothers and family members around you! Once it attacks, you will not be able to survive for three days.
God will die!"
"If we find out who dares to disobey this iron law, we will..."
"No food, no wages."
Cai Qian muttered when he heard this. After listening to the lectures all morning, he felt that everything else in Bacheng was fine, but there were too many rules. This was not allowed, that was not allowed. Drinking raw water was not allowed, and toileting was required.
Go to the toilet, take a shower every day, don't go to the woods if you have nothing to do, there are a lot of them.
At this time, Jiang Asheng on the stage had almost finished speaking. When he was about to announce the end, a man wearing a short-sleeved military uniform hurried in from outside, walked up to him and whispered a few words in his ear. Jiang Asheng's eyes immediately widened, and he continued
Nodding, he immediately gave up his position and stood under the stage.
"Tell me something!" The man in military uniform also spoke Xiamen dialect. "According to the order from above, we are now recruiting a group of security guards. People must be honest and capable of enduring hardship. As for the salary, they will be responsible for food, housing, and salary every month.
Five silver dollars!”
Huh? Everyone was stunned at first and looked at each other, but after a while... buzz! It was like ten thousand flies flew into the hay shed!
Jin Wuzi, who was sitting on the left side of Cai Qian, asked eagerly: "Brother Qian, what is a security guard? How can you earn so much?!"
Cai Qian grabbed the shiny bald gourd and thought to himself, I am illiterate, how can I understand? He simply stood up and asked loudly: "My lord, what is a security guard?"
"Just like me," the person on the stage pointed at himself with his thumb and said with a smile: "If you have nothing to do, go for a run and train. If something happens, help defend Bacheng. Let me tell you, not only do you take care of food and housing, but also take care of food and housing.
They are also given two new sets of clothes every year, from hats to shoes, and they are not included in wages!"
Oh! Cai Qian probably understood now that this is similar to a nursing home for rich people, but the treatment is also great!
But what’s the point of suffering? If we weren’t all so poor, who would be willing to cross the ocean to come here just to make money through hardship?
No matter, there is no shop like this after passing this village! Thinking of this, Cai Qian ignored his wife who kept tugging on his trouser legs and said loudly: "I'll go!"
"I'll go too!" Jinwuzai also stood up immediately.
With these two people taking the lead, most of the men in the hut stood up.
Cai Qian thought very well, but during the subsequent recruitment registration, the person in charge of registration looked at Cai Qian's ID card and frowned: "Cai Qian, you are already thirty this year, we only want those under twenty-five.
.”
"Why?! That official didn't say that before!"
Cai Qian became anxious immediately. He unbuttoned his shirt, patted his bronzed chest first, then pointed at the people in line behind him, and said anxiously: "What's wrong with thirty? I can fight with my bare hands."
There are five of them! Give me a knife and I’ll kill them!"
At this time, Jin Wuzi also came over, bowed to the person registering and said: "Master, Brother Qian is not talking nonsense. He fights very hard. No one among the fishermen in Shui'ao can beat him."
"What are you arguing about?" As soon as he finished speaking, a medium-sized man wearing a grass-green short-sleeved camouflage uniform came over. Behind him, there were several people in the same attire, all of whom were sturdy; after they were surrounded by
His face, darkened by the sun, was full of unruly expressions.
"Hello, Chief!" When the officers and soldiers in the hut saw this person coming, they all stood up and saluted, which startled Cai Qian and others, and some people knelt down nervously.
After hearing the explanation from the soldier in charge of registration, Wang Yuanfang walked up to Cai Qian, looked him up and down and said, "Your name is Cai Qian? Are you thirty this year?"
Sensing the calm but powerful aura in the other party's words, Cai Qian simply knelt down on one knee, cupped his fists and said, "That's the villain!"
Wang Yuanfang took Cai Qian's identity card, his eyes wandered back and forth between the card and the other person, and he didn't say anything for a long time. At this moment, everyone around him looked like he didn't dare to breathe, but none of them knew what was in Wang Yuanfang's heart.
He was muttering.
"The name is okay, and he seems to be about the same age. Isn't this guy the great pirate in history?"
You must know that Wang Yuanfang has been a soldier in Fujian for so many years, and he knows a little bit about the famous "Pirate King" in history. When he went to Xiamen on vacation as a soldier, he even looked at the "Building Building" in Xiamen University.
"Inscription on the Monuments of the Great and Small Dan Village Walled City".
Good guy, I didn’t take it seriously when I went to sea and went to Batavia to work as a Chinese laborer!
The atmosphere in the hut became increasingly tense and depressing. Just when Cai Qian felt that there was no chance for him, the man standing in front of him raised his hand to help him up, and then suddenly punched him in the chest.
Cai Qian's body could not withstand Wang Yuanfang's fist, even if the latter only used 30% of his strength, he could not bear it. He felt like he was hit by a cow, and he had no time to react, so he stumbled backwards.
He took four or five steps and then fell to the ground.
Wang Yuanfang walked over and helped the confused Cai Lian up, and said apologetically: "I'm sorry, I just wanted to see if you can hit five with one."
Cai Qian's face turned red at this time, and he wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl in. Although he knew that he was no match for the person in front of him, he was still dissatisfied. When he was about to argue a few words, the other person patted his shoulder and said in Minnan dialect: