Businessman He Yousheng's idea was rejected by Xujiazhuang's senior management.
If the Dongjiang rebels were defeated by the armed forces of these mining businessmen, what would the imperial army do?
Once this kind of cheating is done, the court will lose face. It will then regard the mining businessmen as a thorn in their flesh, and may send troops to attack. The integrity of the court cannot be overestimated.
What's more, Xujiazhuang doesn't want to be too high-profile yet.
Another reason is that Xu Yuan is very covetous of the Zhaoyuan gold mine. It is one of the areas with the highest "gold content" in China. The gold reserves exceed one thousand tons, accounting for one-seventh of the country. In modern society, there are "gold content"
Known as the "Capital", it has been mined continuously for hundreds of years and has not been exhausted. It is a very important gold producing area.
Xu Yuan plans to send managers to directly control the Zhaoyuan Gold Mine, use the most advanced modern mining equipment to dig out a large amount of gold, and then transport it to Harbor City in quantities of one gram and deposit it into his personal treasury.
Even if the annual gold production is only three to five tons, this is still very impressive.
However, after some discussions on how to eliminate the rebels and capture the Zhaoyuan Gold Mine, they all agreed that it was not feasible to directly send troops to capture Xujiazhuang, and it would be difficult for the more than 500 elite village guards to control the entire mining area.
Managing tens of thousands of miners is beyond the scope of their tasks. Besides, their job is to destroy and kill, not to supervise others' mining.
Professional matters should still be left to professionals.
The senior leaders of Xujiazhuang plan to give full play to the power of businessmen.
The Shandong Mining Merchants Alliance soon announced its establishment. Under the guidance of Xujiazhuang, all the businessmen who control the mines in Shandong will be organized to form a special "Mining Merchants Alliance". In the future, they will either engage in internal collaboration or share
Mining technology and management experience, or uniting to deal with external threats. After all, the combined strength of these twelve large miners is enough to withstand a hundred thousand imperial troops.
After the Shandong Miners Alliance was announced, the first major thing it did was to arrange for Xujiazhuang to send some of its troops to each of the twelve major miners.
Among them, He You defeated 2,000 mine soldiers.
Lu Youxing sent out 2,000 mining troops.
Hu Wenting sent out 200 mining troops.
The other nine miners sent out mining troops ranging from 200 to 1,000 men.
In a relatively short period of time, a coalition of miners totaling 8,000 people was formed.
In addition, the more than 500 elite Xu Jiajun sent by Xujiazhuang, as well as a large number of canned meat, compressed biscuits and other logistical support.
Subsequently, under the leadership of Xu Huoqing, this coalition of nearly 10,000 miners marched into Laizhou Prefecture on December 10 and began to come into contact with the Dongjiang rebel scouts. The battle caused the Dongjiang Army to
of great importance.
even so.
The miners' coalition did not rush to attack the rebels. Instead, they set up camp in a place called Guanzhuang Village about a hundred miles west of Laizhou City and quickly built a strong camp.
At the same time, a team of representatives was sent to a place called Xiaying Town, about thirty miles away to the north, to find the imperial officers and soldiers stationed here to discuss cooperation matters.
That's right.
Regarding the rebellion launched by the Dongjiang Army, the imperial court responded quickly and sent many troops to counter the rebellion in an attempt to eliminate the rebels as soon as possible.
There were three thousand soldiers and horses of Yang Yufan, the commander-in-chief of Tongzhou.
Tianjin General Wang Hong led two thousand soldiers and horses.
Deng Qi, the commander-in-chief of Jimen, led three thousand soldiers and horses.
It took more than a month for these three imperial troops to arrive in Shandong. They fought several battles with the Dongjiang rebels, but they were all at a disadvantage and did not dare to fight again. Then these three troops huddled together and prepared to wait.
Only with the arrival of imperial reinforcements from other places did they have the courage to continue marching to relieve Laizhou City from being besieged by rebels.
…
December 12th, snowy weather.
In Xiaying Town, the imperial army camp, a good news spread in the camp, reinforcements are coming! A very elite reinforcements are just thirty miles away in the south. They were suppressed and beaten by the Dongjiang rebels. They will soon be able to
Cleansed and finished.
Inside the general barracks tent.
"The coalition of miners, nearly ten thousand elites, want to join forces with us to suppress the thieves?"
Commander-in-Chief Yang Yufan was confused by the unfamiliar word Miner Alliance. His brain stopped for a moment, and he tried his best to search the memory in his mind, but he couldn't find such an official and military organization.
"We are a newly formed private army, just like the training of local village warriors. The purpose of our establishment is to defend our hometown and never let those outsiders from Liaodong massacre our hometown and destroy our homeland. Therefore, there are many reasons for this.
A miner provided money and personnel to form this army," the Xujiazhuang representative explained.
"It turns out that they are trained by the rural warriors. Their combat effectiveness is low and they don't know the military discipline. So what if there are ten thousand people?" Wang Hong, the commander-in-chief of Tianjin, a big man with a beard, shook his head in disappointment.
"Haha, you have to fight the rebels to know the actual combat strength of the miners' alliance. At least we came all the way and fought against the rebel scouts eight times, beheading seventy-six people, and only lost two of our own. In addition, we came all the way.
I came here to discuss a deal with the three generals, a deal that has only advantages and no disadvantages for the three generals."
Xu Huoqing couldn't help but say that as a military commander, his purpose of joining the negotiating team was to get a feel for the details of these officers and soldiers, but he was very disappointed.
"Bold, who are you? How dare you say such arrogant words?!"
Deng Qi, the commander-in-chief of Jimen, yelled, "This is a strong general who rose from the ranks of small soldiers. He has repeatedly made military exploits in Sichuan, and together with Hou Liangzhu, he killed An Bangyan, the bandit leader of the She'an Rebellion. Hearing this from a young man like Xu Huoqing,
He was so angry that he wanted to draw his sword and kill him, but he didn't believe what he said. If the rebels with sharp weapons were so easy to fight, why would the imperial army of seven or eight thousand people hesitate to move forward?
"General Deng, please calm down and don't argue with young people."
Zhang Xianglong, the representative of Xujiazhuang, said quickly: "How about cooperation, let's talk about cooperation later? This time, our miners' coalition is willing to take the lead in the front and eliminate the Dongjiang rebels. The military merits of the three military sects will also be shared. In addition, our Shandong Mining Army
The merchant alliance needs a large number of miners, and if the prisoners captured by the imperial army are willing to be traded to us, for those with sound hands and feet, we are willing to pay 30 silver dollars per person, or provide a set of weapons and armor."
Zhang Xianglong clapped his hands.
Two attendants came in carrying a box.
Zhang Xianglong opened the box, took out a set of half-body plate armor (which only protected the front of the human body), and an alloy wild goose feather knife that would never rust, and introduced it to the three generals.
"The half-body plate armor weighs only 22 kilograms and can protect more than 90% of the front area of the human body. Since the weight is evenly distributed throughout the body, it brings minimal burden. When worn, it is the most flexible of all armors and does not affect any movement.
, and can withstand all attacks such as swords, axes, and arrows. It is the pinnacle of many armors."
"This alloy Yanling knife has a blade length of four feet and two. It contains titanium, nickel, chromium and other rare metals. Its density is lower than steel, so its weight is equivalent to that of an ordinary long knife. However, its hardness and toughness are extremely high and it will never rust.
It is easy to maintain. If it is used against an ordinary steel knife, ten of its curled blades will break into pieces, but this alloy knife can still continue to kill enemies."
After listening to the introduction.
The pupils of the commander-in-chief Yang Yufan, Wang Hong and Deng Qi were dilated and their breathing became extremely rapid.
Yang Yufan couldn't help but try on the plate armor. After experiencing its lightness and super high defense power, he immediately forgot all about his sixty-pound Mingguang armor and was reluctant to take it off until Zhang Xianglong said that he would take it off.
After giving him a set of plate armor, he laughed loudly and said that this set of plate armor would become his family heirloom from now on.
Commander-in-Chief Wang Hong and Deng Qi, one of them took an alloy wild goose feather knife, and the other took an ordinary steel knife or his own general's sword, and they started to play with swords and swords. Sparks flew everywhere, and Deng Qi's
Ten ordinary weapons were chopped in succession, but the alloy Yan Ling knife in Wang Hong's hand, although there were many small gaps, could still be used and could still kill the enemy.
"Three adults, these plate armors and alloy knives are very good, right? To be honest, our miners' coalition has nearly 10,000 soldiers, all of whom are equipped with plate armor and alloy knives. With such magic weapons in hand, what is the use of mere rebels?
That's right, it can be destroyed in a few days!"
Xu Huoqing couldn't help but say in a showy tone.
What?!
The three commander-in-chiefs all had shocked faces.
What is the concept of an army of nearly 10,000 people, all equipped with plate armor and alloy swords? It is probably comparable to an army of 100,000 servants!
Deng Qi took the alloy Yanling knife and observed it carefully. Near the handle, he suddenly saw the small words 'Xujiazhuang Iron Factory Casting'. His face changed drastically, he glared at Zhang Xianglong and others and said: "Xujiazhuang, it turns out you guys
It's someone sent from Xujiazhuang, saying! What are your plans?"
"Xujiazhuang?"
Yang Yufan also found the words 'Made by Xujiazhuang Plate Armor Factory' on the half-length plate armor he was wearing. His expression suddenly changed. He immediately called a group of soldiers in, drew his sword and surrounded Zhang Xianglong and others. He said with a gloomy expression.
: "Suppressing the rebels is a matter for the imperial court. Why are you, Xujiazhuang, getting involved? What is your conspiracy?"
"Hahaha!"
Zhang Xianglong raised his head and laughed without any fear, and said: "The three adults are too worried. We in Xujiazhuang can have any bad intentions. We are just interested in the mining resources in Shandong. However, the rebels are raging and we will not eliminate them."
, how can we mine safely? The three adults do not have to be suspicious. This cooperation has only benefits and no harm to you. For the credit of annihilating the rebels, yours will be 30 silver dollars or a complete set of equipment for every prisoner you capture and sell to us.
A great opportunity is right in front of us, but the three adults are so defensive, that's all! If you don't welcome us, I will leave immediately."
He turned around and was about to leave with his entourage.
"etc!"
Yang Yufan stopped him and said, "Don't leave, are you serious about the conditions you mentioned?"
"Of course we take it seriously!" Zhang Xianglong nodded.
"General Yang, don't—" Deng Qi wanted to stop him, but Wang Hong held him back. It was obvious that Wang Hong was also moved.
The cooperation between the two parties was thus concluded.
To show their sincerity, the miners' coalition also sent a batch of canned meat and compressed biscuits, allowing the imperial officers and soldiers to quickly experience the benefits of cooperation with the miners' coalition, and the internal opposition became even smaller.
If you just want to get greater benefits, and with insufficient strength, going to trouble the Dongjiang rebels is obviously asking for trouble, and you are not sure about it, but the temptation of 30 silver dollars per prisoner or a set of equipment makes you want to
This army of the imperial court scratches their hearts and stomachs, eager for it but unable to get it.
"Just capture some young people to make up the numbers. Can't they also be used as miners?"
A certain officer came up with a good idea that made everyone's eyes brighten.
Soon the people around Xiaying Town suffered. In just a few days, more than 3,000 young and strong men were kidnapped and successfully exchanged for silver coins and equipment. This imperial army became rich, and the commander-in-chief Yang Yufan
The faces of others are about to burst from laughter. As long as he captures more people, his army will be able to completely change its equipment.
…
Groups of young men were tied into strings with hemp ropes and brought to the Guanzhuang Village camp like slaves.
"Damn it! The imperial officers and soldiers only arrested poor and innocent people. Representative Zhang from Xujiazhuang knew that it was fishy, so why did he agree to such an ugly deal?"
Businessman Hu Wenting was very angry and lashed out privately, even criticizing the Xujiazhuang representative.
"Haha, Brother Hu, this is exactly Representative Zhang's plan. The imperial officers and soldiers have done something to catch good people and pretend to be good. Thousands of people are in our hands. We can expose them as witnesses at any time. The three generals will send
Give us a knife. They have no other choice but to cooperate more closely with us in the future."
Businessman Lu Youxing smiled and saw everything at a glance.
"This... where are the interests of the people placed?"
Hu Wenting only felt cold all over, and he let out an uncomfortable lament in his heart.