Chapter 102 Again to Yangzhou and three into the Yangtze River

When Fan Chengkun left Xuzhou, he left two barges loaded with phosphate rock and zeolite, and told Lu Jun that Mr. Zhang asked them to prepare to buy summer grain.

When Fan Chengkun and the others arrived in Huai'an, Li Mao had already received the news and came to Huai'an from Yangzhou to wait for them.

On the dock, Li Mao grabbed Fan Chengkun's hand, didn't care about greetings, and asked, "Tell me quickly, how is the war over there in Yaogang?" ”

Fan Chengkun deliberately didn't answer Li Mao, "Li Gongzi, can you be lighter?" You see, our fleet has changed a lot compared to before, hasn't it? ”

"Oops! It's a lot of changes. This time there are a few new ships that I haven't seen before, and there are more barges. Tell me about it, right? Li Mao asked anxiously.

"Haha! To put it simply, we have beaten Li Zicheng out of Shanxi, and Mr. Chen and Mr. Ouyang are leading people to face Li Zicheng in Tongguan across the Yellow River in Fengling. If you want to hear the details, it depends on how Li Gongzi's wine and food are at night? Fan Chengkun used this trick to "blackmail" Li Mao again.

Li Mao hurriedly said, "Okay! Tonight, the best restaurant in Huai'an, I invite you, let's talk about it, don't get drunk and don't return. Let's get the boats in place first. If you don't come again, our grain depot in Huai'an is almost full. ”

Fan Chengkun saw that behind Li Mao there were still the manager of the Huai'an branch and Jiang Feng, the manager of the freight yard, and others, and he also went over to say hello to them. Everyone began to be busy with things such as the fleet unloading at the dock.

When he came out this time, Fan Chengkun still brought Mu Yi over. At the wine table, the two of them told Li Mao and them about the several battles between the Yaogang people and Li Zicheng during this period of time.

Although Li Mao is very confident in Yaogang's side, because Yaogang's weapons are much stronger than Li Zicheng. Especially Chen Yufeng and Ouyang He, who are not ordinary people. But war is not a child's play after all, Li Zicheng is also a generation of heroes, and his generals are all battle-hardened. Li Mao's heart was still worried.

Drinking wine, Li Mao's eyes were red and said: "There is no news of the kiln during this time, and our life is really difficult." I'm in a hurry, I can't go back, and I can't do it if I have the energy. ”

Fan Chengkun said: "Li Gongzi, in fact, we are sometimes the same as you, we are on the Lingshui Wharf, and we are also very worried about the affairs of Yaogang. Fortunately, we have been connected to the secret telegraph phone from the kiln gang all the time. You can keep abreast of the news of the kiln. It's a little stronger than you. ”

Fan Chengkun also briefed everyone on the role played by telegraph and telephone in this war. The telegram and telephone call amazed many people, even though Li Mao was no stranger to the telegraph. He didn't expect this thing to play such a big role in the war.

"Let me tell you a good news, Mr. Zhang said, in the future, the telegraph channel will come to Yangzhou. When the time comes, you can all have direct contact with the kiln here. Fan Chengkun's words made everyone present almost jump up.

"Wait! Wait a minute! Commander Fan said that he wanted to come here for the telegraph channel, did he want to set up a pole to pass through it? Li Mao asked.

"yes. You can also bury it secretly in the ground, but that kind of wire is too expensive. Fan Chengkun replied.

"It's a bit of a tricky thing to do. If we build poles here and there, the court officials here will be a nuisance. It's hard to say whether they can agree or not. Li Mao said.

"Li Gongzi rest assured! Now General Li Jing has led people to occupy Wuzhi County, and the line crosses the Yellow River from there to Henan. When I passed through Henan, the king of Zhou in Henan was very supportive of this matter. From Henan, cross the Yellow River to Xuzhou. We build a line along the banks of the Yellow River to Huai'an, and then along the canal to Yangzhou. Mr. Zhang said that if necessary, it can be set up in Zhenjiang. We can do it first, no matter what the government. If there are those who come out to make trouble, we will find a way. The emperor recently borrowed another 1 million taels of silver from our kiln. If necessary, please ask Mr. Zhang to talk to the emperor. Fan Chengkun said with confidence.

Li Mao said: "Yes, we have to do it when we are ready." If anyone doesn't let it, we'll do it. Now we're not afraid of anyone. Sometimes it's okay to spend a little silver. If the telegram is connected, our business will be very good. ”

Fan Chengkun's fleet had three tugboats, and in addition to the warships, there were several shallow steam ships. However, with tugboats, steam shallow boats, there is no need to tow boats. Li Mao made arrangements according to the situation of the goods. The warships could not enter the canal, so the other ships would go to Yangzhou. After unloading part of the goods, the empty ship was loaded with some of the goods purchased by the Yangzhou branch and returned to Huai'an, and all the empty ships were loaded with grain. A tugboat with a barge and two shallow steam boats went to Zhenjiang to join the two warships parked there at Yaogang and sailed up the Yangtze River together.

This time, it was Li Mao and Mu Yi who led the fleet into the Yangtze River.

Fan Chengkun told Li Mao that each warship in Zhenjiang would be equipped with an infantry gun this time, and all mortars would be replaced with 120 heavy mortars. Therefore, the gunner also had to be replaced by Fan Chengkun this time. Only then will they be able to master these new guns.

Li Mao said: "This time, we gave Zuo Liangyu 500 muskets, and we can't give them all at once. If you give it to him, if this Zuo Liangyu cheats and doesn't give us the silver, we will lose. Last time I promised him a hundred at a time, and I think this time we will bring three hundred, the next time we will give him a hundred, and the third time we will give him another hundred. His first money will be given to us very happily. If he is trustworthy in business, we can do more business with him in the future. ”

Fan Chengkun said: "This time, Mr. Lu repeatedly explained that there is cotton and hemp to buy a large amount. We ran out of cotton during this time. Machine spinning is just too fast. Lu Qi: They changed the machine faster and faster, and the cloth weaving became better and better. ”

Li Mao said: "Our cloth is so good. I liked it all, and this time the variety has increased a lot. I'm just waiting for this batch of goods to open our shopping mall in Yangzhou. ”

"That's right! Mr. Zhang said, if your mall can open, you don't have to wait for them. Fan Chengkun said.

Li Mao said: "I'll arrange it, and I'll talk about it when Mu Yi and I come back." I know that the manganese ore and heavy stone at home should also be used for play, and even the tin is almost the same. I'd better get these things back as soon as possible, and don't delay the production of the kiln. Besides, we just won a big victory, and I also want to see why Zuo Liangyu and Zhang Xianzhong haven't moved Li Zicheng's territory for a long time. This was somewhat unexpected. Everything else is easy to talk about now, basically we don't have to be afraid of Zuo Liangyu and Zhang Xianzhong beating us. One shipload of our machine-woven fabric can be exchanged for ten boatloads of cotton. Especially the kind of towels we brought this time, I dare say that the little thing we brought with us could be snatched up on the docks. ”

The goods unloaded in Yangzhou will be sold to Jiangnan by relying on the Yangzhou branch. After arranging it in Yangzhou, he and Mu Yi took the fleet and went directly to Zhenjiang.

The brothers on the two warships in Yaogang were naturally happy to see someone from their families. In particular, Mu Yi reequipped them with artillery this time, which made them even more happy.

didn't stop much in Zhenjiang, Mu Yi and Li Mao took the fleet upstream. Li Mao and Mu Yi walked this waterway a few times, but this time the speed was much faster. In the past, steam ships had to tow a string of boats, but this time they are not needed. The barge is carried by a tugboat, and the speed of the powerful tugboat with the barge is incomparable to that of the original shallow boat.

This time, when they arrived at the nearby Xiangzhenjiang, Yingtianfu (Nanjing), and Anqing, Li Mao did not stop the boat, but came directly to Jiujiang at the first stop.

When he arrived in Jiujiang, Li Mao reported that it was Yaogang's fleet coming. The officers and men on the Jiujiang wharf were very polite and arranged berths for Li Mao and them. Obviously, they got Zuo Liangyu's order.

When he arrived at the wharf, Li Maopu was also very big, and told the officers and soldiers to notify General Zuo immediately, and said that Li Mao from Yaogang was coming.

The officers and soldiers on the dock did not dare to slack off, and rode to Zuo Liangyu's general's mansion to report. Soon, the officers and soldiers reported, "The general is invited!" ”

Li Mao said to Mu Yi: "I'll take someone to see Zuo Liangyu, if there is anything, you can act on the opportunity." Li Mao didn't know much about Zuo Liangyu, so he was still a little careful.

Li Mao took people and carried the gifts he brought to Zuo Liangyu and entered Jiujiang City.

As soon as he entered Jiujiang City, Li Mao's mood improved a lot. It seems that Zuo Liangyu listened to his own words, and it turned out that there were already many shops open on the deserted street. There were also more people on the streets, and there were many people carrying burdens and carts. It seems that this ancient city has been rejuvenated again.

Zuo Liangyu had long known that Li Zicheng's attack on Shanxi was going well, but when he met the Yaogang people, he fought with the Yaogang people. However, according to the latest news, Li Zicheng did not move Yaogang, so he bypassed Yaogang and fought Zhou Yuji, the general soldier of the three sides, in Ningwuguan for a few days, and then the Yaogang people attacked, and Li Zicheng was forced to retreat.

Zuo Liangyu heard that the caravan of the Yaogang people had arrived, and he knew that the Yaogang people must have the upper hand, otherwise their strength ran from the northernmost side to the Yangtze River. Zuo Liangyu wanted to know the first-hand news about the kiln gang too much, so he hurriedly ordered someone to invite Li Mao.

When Li Mao saw Zuo Liangyu, he hurriedly saluted and said, "Li Mao has seen the general. ”

Zuo Liangyu stood up and greeted him and said, "No courtesy, no courtesy!" Shopkeeper Li wants to kill the old man. If you don't come again, I'll send someone to invite you. ”

After sitting down, Zuo Liangyu couldn't wait to ask: "Shopkeeper Li, tell me quickly, how did you and Li Zicheng fight?" ”

Li Mao remembered that Fan Chengkun "blackmailed" him, and said: "To put it simply, Li Zicheng was beaten out of Shanxi by us. It's not like we're out in business too. Our people's army in Yaogang is now facing Li Zicheng across the Yellow River at Tongguan. It stands to reason that the battle is not over yet. But our Zhang Dongjia said that the muskets that General Zuo wanted should be sent to you as soon as possible, and now there is such a good opportunity, General Zuo has not yet started a war against Li Zicheng, he must be waiting for these muskets. ”

Li Mao's words, true or false, not only told Zuo Liangyu that the musket he wanted was sent to him, but also beat him, and he did not cooperate with the attack on Li Zicheng. Zuo Liangyu is such a character, how can he not hear it. said: "Zhang Dongjia still understands me." Without the weapons at hand, I really don't dare to rashly attack the thief. It was reported that the thieves seized a large number of firearms after their victory over Governor Sun Chuanting. I'm worried about this, it's really time for Shopkeeper Li to come. I'll just wait for the musket. How many muskets did Shopkeeper Li bring me this time? ”

"As we agreed last time, I should bring a hundred muskets at a time, right?" Li Mao said.

"Yes, yes, we agreed last time." Zuo Liangyu said.

"Our Zhang Dongjia said that this is the first time we have dealt with General Zuo, and we will try to bring as much as possible to General Zuo. That's why we've got three hundred muskets for you at once. Li Mao said.

"Great, Shopkeeper Lee. Go back and thank Zhang Dongjia for me. I look forward to these muskets, I want to wear them! Zuo Liangyu clapped his hands happily.

Li Mao said: "We know that you are in a hurry. Soon there will be a hundred muskets, transferred from elsewhere, already on their way. I went back to Yangzhou. I'll send someone to bring it to you right away. ”

"Good!" Zuo Liangyu has a few good words.

Li Mao said: "Here is a little gift I brought to General Zuo, you can take a look." ”

"You're too polite, Shopkeeper Li." Zuo Liangyu said and got up to look at the gift brought by Li Mao.

This time, Li Mao brought Zuo Liangyu woven cloth of various styles and colors from the kiln, as well as towels.

Zuo Liangyu touched the fabric he had never seen with his hand and said, I didn't expect your kiln to weave so well, no wonder your business is done all over the world. It seems that Zuo Liangyu likes the towels of the kiln gang very much, and asked Li Mao: "Shopkeeper Li, what kind of cloth is this?" ”

Li Mao said: "You are holding a towel. When you wash your face or sweat in the future, will it be very comfortable for you to wipe with such a towel? ”

Li Mao's words reminded Zuo Liangyu of his group of wives and concubines. It's all good things for women.

However, Zuo Liangyu was more interested when he saw the few jars of wine that Li Mao had brought over. said: "I remember, last time Shopkeeper Li said that he would give me a few jars of good wine, and it seems that Shopkeeper Li has not forgotten it." Tonight, let's have a good drink, and you can also tell the old man about the war between you and Li Zicheng. The old man wants to hear how you defeated Li Zicheng's million-strong army. ”

Li Mao also joked: "General Zuo, I want to listen carefully, and I want to see how your wine and food are?" ”

Zuo Liangyu liked Li Mao very much, and said to the left and right: "I heard it, if the wine and food tonight are not good, I can't hear about the thieves in the kiln, and I can't spare you." ”

Li Mao said: "My lord, I think there will be some time until the evening. You might as well send someone to me to examine the musket. We also have other goods, such as matches and other things that you were optimistic about last time. See what else you could need? When you're done picking, we'll trade with someone else. ”

Zuo Liangyu said: "I will personally go to the dock with you to test the musket." Let my people see what else they need. ”

On the way to the wharf, Zuo Liangyu said: "After you left last time, I listened to your advice and began to encourage agricultural merchants. You can also do as much as you can with them. There are also quite a few boats on our Jiujiang wharf. ”

Li Mao said: "Okay, the silk tea in their hands is not a good thing here, but it is a good thing when they get to the north." The skins of the north and our small goods are also needed here. In this way, we will save the people on both sides, and we will earn money. ”

Jiujiang has been locked down for too long, and everything is lacking, but the merchants don't have much silver to buy. Li Mao asked them to exchange tea and silk directly for the goods they needed. This can make the merchants of Jiujiang very happy.

Zuo Liangyu's purchasing power is even stronger, in addition to more than 300,000 musket silver, they also bought more than 100,000 leathers, cloth towels, horse lamps and other hardware supplies. In order to take care of the people of Jiujiang, Li Mao and they stopped in Jiujiang for two more days.

When he left Jiujiang to say goodbye to Zuo Liangyu, Li Mao said to Zuo Liangyu: "My lord, Li Zicheng has just failed, and he has greatly injured his vitality. Don't lose the opportunity to seize the thief's territory. Don't let him breathe easily. We, the Yaogang people, wait for a while, and we will immediately attack Li Zicheng again. ”

Zuo Liangyu was a little embarrassed and said, "Don't worry, shopkeeper Li." With these muskets, we won't leave Li Zicheng alone wherever he is. I'm going to take revenge more than anyone else. ”

Li Mao wanted to hear Zuo Liangyu's words.

Leaving Zuoliangyu Jiujiang Wharf, Li Mao and the vacated barge and the barge loaded with Jiujiang goods stopped at Jingdezhen Wharf. Leaving people to go to Dayu to make heavy stone and Huizhou paper, and took out the drawings, and made a lot of porcelain with the porcelain kiln. Because the development of electricity in kiln gang is too fast. A lot of switches and sockets, porcelain bottles, lamp holders, etc. need porcelain, the porcelain kiln over there can no longer meet the needs, this time Li Mao not only has to order porcelain for commodities, but also in Jingde to calm a lot of these things.

After arranging the affairs of Jingdezhen, Li Mao and the others did not stay in Jingdezhen, and left Poyang Lake overnight, entered the Yangtze River, and marched to Wuchang. They controlled the speed of the ship in the Yangtze River, and one morning, Zhang Xianzhong's warship patrolling the river led them to a wharf in Wuchang.

The people on the dock rode to report to Zhang Xianzhong.

Until the afternoon, Li Mao didn't expect that Zhang Xianzhong would come to the dock to see him again. Of course, Zhang Xianzhong also came over in micro-service.

Li Mao let Zhang Xianzhong go to the living room on the warship, and the two talked for a long time. Zhang Xianzhong was very interested in the battle between Yaogang and Li Zicheng's army, but Li Mao could only tell Zhang Xianzhong about what he heard Fan Chengkun and them speak.

Li Mao revealed a little that when Zhang Xianzhong was not fighting with Li Zicheng in Yaogang, and when he was a little dissatisfied with Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong turned over and said something else. Until he was leaving, Zhang Xianzhong said: "Shopkeeper Li, don't worry, we will soon start a war with Li Zicheng." Fighting a war is not the same as doing business. There are rules for fighting wars. When it comes to business, you can discuss it with them. As for what you said about opening up shipping routes on the Yangtze River, Zuo Liangyu can agree, and I didn't say anything. In this way, the people can also recuperate. ”

After sending Zhang Xianzhong away, Li Maocai met with Song Tao on the dock.

Song Tao asked: "How did you talk to our host?" ”

Li Mao said: "There is such a big thing happening in Yaogang, why do we have to inform our old friends." Your boss is satisfied. The rest is ours. ”

Song Tao said: "When I left Yangzhou, I led people to rush back quickly, and those who could ride horses definitely did not take a boat." Arrive two days early and wait for you. We have all the cotton and hemp you need. ”

"I think so, you pick what you need first. Then I will tell you how many things we need, and we will get them again when we come back from Changsha, and also give you a little time to prepare. Li Mao said.

If it was according to Song Tao's thoughts, he would hate to leave everything behind. Li Mao didn't agree, because there was still one stop to Changsha. However, it also shows that the sentence that the goods arrive in Han ** is true, and the absorption capacity of the goods here is really amazing.

Song Tao complained and said: "Last time, I told you, how many of your wide woven fabrics, we can ask for as much as you want." But that's all you left for me this time. I can't even tell my next family. ”

"Oh, don't complain. Didn't we just finish a war there? If there is no fight in the future, I will come a few more times. Li Mao said.

The cotton and hemp here are what Li Mao needs, and finally Li Mao said: "I looked, before I come back, you try to get cotton and hemp." When I came back, I took as many as I could. ”

Li Mao and the others left Wuchang and continued their journey, came to Yuezhou (Yueyang), entered Dongting Lake, and came to Changsha through the Xiangjiang River. Li Mao: They didn't stop all the way day and night.

Taking advantage of the faint morning light, Mu Yi instructed everyone to find the dock and park the boat. Now there are few boats, and it is easy to park them.

Li Mao said: "Everyone has worked hard all the way, let's make up for sleep." ”

Sailing at night, Mu Yi and Li Mao didn't dare to sleep too hard, so before going ashore, they must make up for their sleep.

At noon, Li Mao and Mu Yi woke up, and Mao Hui'er was already waiting for them on the boat.

Mao Hui saw Li Mao and said, "I have heard from them, and we Yaogang people have won." Otherwise, I'm worried to death. ”

Li Mao joked: "We have so much money from you, if we are defeated, it won't be all yours." ”

"Anyway, those payments must not be touched." Mao Hui is an honest man and said very sincerely.

Li Mao said: "Old friends are kidding! This is the third time I've come to Changsha. This time, you see, our fleet is different. But this time it's a little harder. We even have to get more tin ore and manganese ore. ”

Mao Hui said: "You haven't been here for half a year, and there are already a lot of piles on our dock. They ship here every month. You'll see how much you're left to see how much you're left behind. ”

Li Mao said: "We brought a lot of things this time, and it is still the old rule, you can arrange it to see who it should be given to whomever you want." What do you think? ”

Mao Hui'er heard it too well, the last time Mao Hui'er had such an opportunity, which made the entire Changsha people look at him differently.

Without waiting for Mao Hui to speak, Li Mao said: "We are here this time, and we are also going to build a branch in Changsha, and we will send a manager." I want to ask you to be the second shopkeeper, what do you think? ”

When Mao Hui heard this, it was a matter of one step to the sky. He turned out to be a small business owner, and the second shopkeeper of this branch of the kiln gang was a person with status. The happy Mao Hui gave Li Mao a salute.

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anesthesia, anti-inflammatory, blood transfusion, suturing, surgery; Zip code, constitution, patents, stocks, scientific and technological innovation. --Progress of "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty".