"Does anyone still have the brains to use joint logistics ships?" Xi Yazhou was a little surprised. The reputation of the Fubo Army was well-known in Guangdong after the Battle of the Pearl River Estuary. This time the troops marched all the way, and many towns and villages were indifferent.
Don't dare to say anything about the poor food supply.
"That's right." Hong Huangnan nodded, "Not many people rob and die in the open, but it often happens that they steal when we are not prepared." He said that most of the thieves are ordinary people. Their whereabouts are unpredictable since ancient times.
It is a group that the government cannot control. "As you probably know, Danhu are untouchables and have been discriminated against for a long time. There is a huge gap between them and the government, the gentry and even ordinary people. Therefore, they have 'extremely indifferent legal awareness'."
After a while, soldiers came to report that a small boat had sneaked into the anchorage. After being discovered by the sentry, they opened fire, killing one person and capturing one small boat.
"Look, this is the trick." Hong Huangnan said helplessly, "It doesn't seem to have much technical content, but it's hard to guard against."
The thieves are usually driven by a few people in a small melon-skin boat, using the cover of darkness to quietly sail to the docked ship. When the guarding soldiers are not prepared, they pull a few bags of goods from the cargo hold and leave. There is insufficient lighting at night, making it difficult for sentries to observe.
, often leading to theft.
There are no torches or lanterns on board - it is easy to catch fire, but the number of lanterns is not enough to ensure sufficient brightness, which gives an opportunity for theft in the dark night.
"...Our sentries shoot whenever they see anyone, but they are very clever, and they often succeed. Although the losses are not big, I feel unhappy."
"This kind of thing is unavoidable. Even in the military trains of the old time, there were still people who picked up and stole the trains. There were also people who gathered to rob the military trains." Xi Yazhou said, "To be honest, they stole some food and took away a few sets of quilts.
It doesn’t matter, the key is that our weapons and ammunition cannot be lost.”
"Such a thing has not happened yet. But in the future, our military transportation will be frequent, and it is difficult to guarantee that similar things will not happen." Hong Huangnan said, "Now we carry out separate transportation of ammunition and ammunition. Although we cannot prevent loss 100%, we can at least prevent the lost ones."
The consequences are minimized.”
"So we still have to suppress the bandits." Xi Yazhou said. Along the way, the military pressure was actually not great. The focus of all aspects was on "public security." "How is the bandit situation in Xijiang and Beijiang? How are you?
Do you understand?"
"Water bandits are as big as hair," Hong Huangnan said, "and the situation is complicated."
The water bandits on the Beijiang River in Xijiang are mainly the water bandits of the Dan family named Xu, Zheng, Shi and Ma. They have influence throughout the Xijiang Beijiang Basin and have many people and boats under their command. They can also control many Danjia boat people who affect the Beijiang Basin of Xijiang.
It can be said to be a powerful force.
"Basically, those who work in this business on a certain scale, regardless of whether they are born as Dan people, must be attached to one of the four surnames and pay tribute on time." Hong Huangnan said, "Those who work as boat owners must also pay tribute to them, otherwise they will be
The fate of the ship was destroyed and everyone was killed.”
The period when the Fubo Army regained Guangzhou and pursued victorious pursuits in the Pearl River Delta could be called the "golden years" of the water bandits. A large number of officials and gentry who fled from various states and counties in the Pearl River Delta took their families and went to Zhaoqing with loads of valuables.
Not only did the water bandits enjoy an unprecedented "gluttonous feast": every time they attacked, their children returned home with loads of treasures. Even the boat owners who carried the escapees also made a small fortune by stealing and secretly stealing.
"...When we first arrived in Sanshui, there were corpses everywhere on the river and on the tidal flats, all of which were people who had eaten the wonton noodles. The water bandits made a fortune, and the boat owners were jealous, so they grabbed them first.
When guests come, those who don't obey will be thrown into the river - people's hearts in troubled times..." Hong Huangnan shook his head as he talked about this past incident.
However, after the Fubo Army arrived in Sanshui, the activities of water bandits in this section have dropped sharply. This is not only because the joint logistics ships are powerful and heavily guarded, but more importantly because of the war, merchants stay at home and do not go out.
The circulation of people and goods has also come to a standstill, and the boat owners have no business to do. The water bandits return to the river for "hunting". At best, they can only rob a few fishing boats or ferries, which does not bring much profit.
"...Although their activities have decreased, their strength is particularly strong. Once they are incited to become 'political bandits' and launch a purposeful water attack on us, our escort force will be stretched thin."
At present, the joint logistics' material transportation security is mainly dispatched from its own guard force and the Navy's Pearl River dispatch fleet. Generally speaking, a fleet of one or two armed medium-sized or small-sized boats can ensure safety along the way.
.When you encounter sporadic water bandits, you can drive them away with a few shots. However, the escort force is not strong.
"It seems that it is still necessary to launch the suppression of bandits as soon as possible -" Xi Yazhou said. He remembered that Hong Huangnan had already mentioned that a garrison headquarters under joint logistics command should be set up along the military station line to uniformly undertake the suppression of bandits and the suppression of bandits along the military station line.
Escort mission. Avoid the unfavorable situation of poor communication and cooperation that will inevitably occur when counties along the river are divided into separate parties.
Hong Huangnan said: "To suppress bandits along the river, it is best to recruit some indigenous people who are familiar with the situation on the river. The headquarters must come up with a specific policy. As far as I know: the situation on the river is very complicated. There are not only professional bandits,
Fishermen, day laborers, and boat owners themselves are also in the 'grey area'. Murder, robbery and theft are part of their daily lives. How to grasp the proportion must be carefully considered."
Then Hong Huangnan introduced the situation of the supply fleet he is currently organizing. In addition to some standardized ships transferred from Hong Kong, the transport ships currently sailing on Xijiang and Beijiang are mainly requisitioned on-site in Sanshui.
Boat owners and vessels. Minimize the movement of vessels.
To supply supplies to the Dongjiang Basin, Lianqin used ships requisitioned in Guangzhou - ship owners in Guangdong were mainly concentrated in Sanshui and Guangzhou. There were a large number of transport ships in both places.
"So we have no shortage of ships and sailors. But as I said just now, these people have been in the 'grey area' for a long time and have not been transformed. They have very old habits and it is very difficult to discipline them."
"How much freight will you pay for using their ship? Is the funding given to you enough?" Xi Yazhou was a little worried.
"Commander Xi, I am a levy officer, not a mercenary," Hong Huangnan said.
The expenses for requisitioning ships are only the daily rations consumed by sailors and helmsmen and the cost of materials for regular ship repairs. Other than that, joint logistics costs nothing.
"If you do this, the boat owners won't jump in?"
"Jumping feet? My conscription can be regarded as the most preferential treatment." Hong Huangnan disagreed, "The Ming Dynasty also had ships conscripted. It was called 'nail sealing'-sending someone to take an official document and nailing it to the plank of your ship, you will leave the emperor.
Let's go. Not to mention the freight, we will even prepare our own rations. If the ship sinks, it will be the owner's fault. If he is captured and sent to fight, it is not uncommon for the ship to be destroyed and people to die."
"You are worse than worse..."
"This is a worse world. I won't say anything else. Nowadays, shipping on the Xijiang and Beijiang rivers has almost stopped. Boat owners' boats will be ruined if they are soaked in the water. Even if the boatmen and helmsmen are not paid, they will at least have to pay.
A bowl of porridge to drink - these are all expenses. Real money can be paid out. Now that he is transporting goods for us, at least the boatman does not need him to support him. If the boat is broken, we will repair it for him. If the boat is damaged,
We will still pay compensation. These few provisions are benevolent policies that have not been seen in hundreds of years."
"How is Funato? Do you cooperate?"
"Very cooperative," Hong Huangnan said. "The biggest boat owner here is called Chen Hongyi. When Thorpe passed by Sanshui on his trip to Xijiang to consult, shopkeeper Chen even gave him a banquet." He said and smiled.
, "Of course, the banquet was given to the accompanying Jin Yiwei, but Boss Chen always thought that Thorpe was a big shot in the capital. Later, when he heard that Thorpe was actually a 'kun thief', he was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped."
"How else would he be called Suo Hao?" Xi Yazhou said.
"Ever since he found out about this relationship, Chen Hongyi suddenly became very active. Not only did he keep asking me to help him contact Thorpe, he also kept sending things to ask me to forward them to him as a 'filial piety' to Thorpe."
"He's quite good at clinging!"
"Why not!" Hong Huangnan shook his head, "But it is impossible to sail on the Xijiang River without some skills."
"How are you as a person?"
"A typical old feudal leader," said Hong Huangnan, "Spiritual, wary, paternalistic, and loyal. But ruthless."
"That's really true."
"Want to meet? His family lives just outside Sanshui County, not far from here."
"That's not necessary," Xi Yazhou said, "How many ships does he have?"
"There are more than 140 boats, and there are almost 2,000 boatmen and helmsmen. They are considered a tyrant on the Xijiang River. They are very reliable in their work. Although not many people are literate from top to bottom, they really have a good way of transporting goods.
When transporting grain and supplies, one order is given, whether it is grouping goods or loading and unloading goods along the way, no matter how complicated the arrangement, type, quantity...it is communicated verbally, and there are very few mistakes."
"Traditional industries all have their own unique skills." Xi Yazhou said, "I can rest assured of the ability of such people. However, since ancient times, those who work in the boat industry have not been good men and women. 'The car and boat shop's feet and teeth should be killed if they are not guilty' -
Anyone who works among them is not a good person. Now that you have requisitioned their ships, you will naturally have to use their sailors. Be careful that they use their names to disturb the people."
"I will pay attention to this." Hong Huangnan said, "Not long ago, various heroes made a fortune on the Xijiang River, and Chen Hongyi's men must also have a share."
"I would feel strange if there was no part in it. But this is a thing of the past. Let's forget about it. You have to keep an eye on what happens in the future - your own team must also be built up slowly. Joint logistics cannot always rely on the navy.
It’s a ship.”
Hong Huangnan raised his eyebrows slightly: "Commander Xi, you are right. Inland waterway shipping has heavy tasks, complicated matters, and strong professionalism. It still needs a dedicated team to manage it."